To Build Publication - Volume 11 l Issue 4 - December 2021 to February 2022 by Media Xpose

Volume 11 Issue 4 December 2021

DIY:

Lawns in

the summer season Keeping your home

Timber construction on the rise Getting

insulation done the right way December 2021 R45.00 Incl. VAT

22004

9 772219 724008

cool this summer

with paint

Bathroom ideas

2022

Allbro upgrading a South African legacy

Why use energy efficiency service providers Summer’s colours for the zest of sunny days

Model Code Model Code Model Model Code Code

Concealed cooling solution, flexible power.

Power Supp Power Suppl Power Power Supply Supply (In System System System System

Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity

Power Inpu Power Input Power Power Input Input (Nominal) (Nominal) (Nominal) (Nominal)

Fan Fan FanFan

Ducted I Slim Duct

Piping Conn Piping Conne Piping Piping Connectio Conne

III Flexibility - Easily install in various ceiling conditions

Sound Sound Sound Sound

The slim and compact Samsung Slim Duct air conditioner visually blends into the ceiling. It's also easy to External Di External Dim External External Dimen Dim maintain in any interior regardless of the surrounding environment.

(Indoor Unit (Indoor Unit) (Indoor (Indoor Unit) Unit)

Ducted I Slim Duct

*Product Spe *Product Spec *Product *Product Specifica Specif

Fits into many different spaces

III Flexibility - Easily install in various ceiling conditions

2-way Air Inlet

Enhance the look & feel of almost any space

Fits into many different spaces

be discretely concealed being discretely Suction concealed behindin many more locations. It also makes its Duct Suction Duct installation, maintenance and repair quick and easy, so it provides ceilings, so it blends in.

into the ceilin

Diffuser

Rear Side Air Inlet Bottom Side Air Inlet blends The Slim Duct features a 2-way air inlet The slim and compact Samsung Slim Duct air conditioner visually – bottom or rear – that gives you much maintain in any interior regardless of the surrounding environment. more flexibility in selecting an installation location. It can be configured to suit With a height of just 199mm and a width of 700mm*, the Slim Duct’s almost any room, providing the optimum slim and compact design is highly elegant and unobtrusive, so it can airTEX flow to the surrounding space, while 01 TEX TEX

a suitable and effective solution 2-way for cooling and heating a wide Air Inlet range of spaces. The Slim Duct features a 2-way air inlet * Based on the AM036KNLDEH/EU model. The widthorofrear other models may vary. – bottom – that gives you much

Suction Duct

Rear Side Air Inlet

more flexibility in selecting an installation

Diffuser

location. It can be configured to suit almost any room, providing the optimum airTEX flow to the surrounding space, while TEX Slim & Compact Design (199mm Height) being discretely Suction concealed behind Duct Suction Duct ceilings, so it blends in. Enhance the look and feel of almost any space. With a height of just

Diffuser

Blends in seamlessly

Individual Individual Individual Individual Controller Controller Controller Controller Required Required Required Required (Choices) (Choices) (Choices) (Choices) TEX

199mm and a width of 700mm*, the Slim Duct's slim and compact design

Fourways Group are the national distributors of isSamsung aircons and HVAC to help concealed meet allinyour air highly elegant and unobtrusive, soexperts it can be discretely care needs. Contact Fourways for FREE VRF design assistance. many more locations. It also makes its installation, maintenance and repair quick easy, so it provides a suitable effective solution JHB: (011) 704 6320 · PTA: (012) 643 0445 · CAPE: (021) 556and 8292 · KZN: (031) 579 1895 · and PE: (041) 484 6413 for cooling and heating EL: (043) 722 0671 · George: 082 380 0708 · Free State: 083 381a wide 0074range of businesses. 02

Blends in seamlessly

* Based on the AM036KNLDEH/EU model. The width of other models may vary.

AM071KNLDEH/EU AM071KNLDEH/EU AM071KNLDEH/EU AM071KNLDEH/EU

(Indoor Unit) [Φ, #, Hz] ly(Indoor (Indoor Unit) [Φ, Hz] yply ndoor Unit) Unit) [Φ,[Φ, #, V, #,#,Hz] V,V,V, Hz]

AM112KNL AM112KNLD AM112KNLDEH AM112KNLD

1,2,220-240,50 1,2,220-240,50 1,2,220-240,50 1,2,220-240,50

HP/HR HP/HR HP/HR HP/HR

HP/H HP/HR HP/HR HP/HR

7.10 7.10 7.107.10

9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00

11.2 11.20 11.20 11.20

24,200 24,200 24,200 24,200

30,700 30,700 30,700 30,700

38,20 38,20 38,200 38,200

8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00

10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00

12.5 12.50 12.50 12.50

Heating [Btu/h] Heating [Btu/h] Heating Heating [Btu/h] [Btu/h]

27,300 27,300 27,300 27,300

34,100 34,100 34,100 34,100

42,70 42,700 42,700 42,700

Cooling [W] Cooling [W] Cooling Cooling [W][W]

120.00 120.00 120.00 120.00

170.00 170.00 170.00 170.00

170.0 170.00 170.00 170.00

Heating [W] Heating [W] Heating Heating [W][W]

120.00 120.00 120.00 120.00

170.00 170.00 170.00 170.00

170.0 170.00 170.00 170.00

- -- -

16.50/15.00/13.50 16.50/15.00/13.50 16.50/15.00/13.50 16.50/15.00/13.50

29.00/27.00/25.00 29.00/27.00/25.00 29.00/27.00/25.00 29.00/27.00/25.00

Mode Mode Mode Mode Cooling [kW] Cooling [kW] Cooling Cooling [kW] [kW] Cooling [Btu/h] Cooling [Btu/h] Cooling Cooling [Btu/h] [Btu/h] Heating [kW] Heating [kW] Heating Heating [kW] [kW]

AM090KNLDEH/EU AM090KNLDEH/EU AM090KNLDEH/EU AM090KNLDEH/EU

Motor (Output xN) N) [W] Motor (Output [W] Motor Motor (Output (Output x N) xxN) [W] [W] Air Flow Rate (High /Mid /Low) Low) [CMM] Air Flow Rate (High [CMM] AirAir Flow Flow Rate Rate (High (High / Mid //Mid /Mid Low) //Low) [CMM] [CMM]

External Pressure (Min /Std /Max) Max) [mmAq] 0.00/2.00/4.00 0.00/2.00/4.00 External Pressure (Min [mmAq] 0.00/2.00/4.00 External External Pressure Pressure (Min (Min / Std //Std /Std Max) //Max) [mmAq] [mmAq] 0.00/2.00/4.00 Liquid Pipe (Φ,mm, inch) Liquid Pipe (Φ,mm, inch) Liquid Liquid Pipe Pipe (Φ,mm, (Φ,mm, inch) inch)

nections Gas Pipe (Φ,mm, inch) ections Gas Pipe (Φ,mm, inch) ections ons GasGas Pipe Pipe (Φ,mm, (Φ,mm, inch) inch) Drain Pipe (Φ,mm) Drain Pipe (Φ,mm) Drain Drain Pipe Pipe (Φ,mm) (Φ,mm) Sound Pressure (High /Mid /Low) Low) [dB(A)] Sound Pressure (High [dB(A)] Sound Sound Pressure Pressure (High (High / Mid //Mid /Mid Low) //Low) [dB(A)] [dB(A)]

31.20/29.0 31.20/29.00 31.20/29.00/27 31.20/29.00/

0.00/3.00/6.00 0.00/3.00/6.00 0.00/3.00/6.00 0.00/3.00/6.00

0.00/3.00 0.00/3.00 0.00/3.00/6.0 0.00/3.00/

9.52 (3/8") 9.52 (3/8") 9.52 9.52 (3/8") (3/8")

9.52 (3 9.52 (3/ 9.52 9.52 (3/8") (3/8

15.88 (5/8") 15.88 (5/8") 15.88 15.88 (5/8") (5/8")

15.88 (5 15.88 (5/ 15.88 15.88 (5/8") (5/8

VP25 (OD 32,ID 25) VP25 (OD 32,ID 25) VP25 VP25 (OD (OD 32,ID 32,ID 25)25)

38.0/36.0/33.0 38.0/36.0/33.0 38.0/36.0/33.0 38.0/36.0/33.0

37.0/36.0/34.0 37.0/36.0/34.0 37.0/36.0/34.0 37.0/36.0/34.0

57.0 57.0 57.0 57.0

66.0 66.0 66.0 66.0

30.50 30.50 30.50 30.50

40.50 40.50 40.50 40.50

40.5 40.50 40.50 40.50

1100 x199 x600 600 1100 1100 1100 x 199 xx199 x199 600 xx600

1300 x295 x690 690 1300 1300 1300 x 295 xx295 x295 690 xx690

Sound Power (Cooling) [dB(A)] Sound Power (Cooling) [dB(A)] Sound Sound Power Power (Cooling) (Cooling) [dB(A)] [dB(A)]

Net Weight (kg) Net Weight (kg) NetNet Weight Weight (kg) (kg) imension mension mension nsion )t) Net Dimensions (WxHxD) (mm) Net Dimensions (WxHxD) (mm) NetNet Dimensions Dimensions (WxHxD) (WxHxD) (mm) (mm)

1,2,220-2 1,2,220-24 1,2,220-240,5 1,2,220-240

VP25 (OD 3 VP25 (OD 32 VP25 VP25 (OD (OD 32,ID 32

37.0/36.0 37.0/36.0/ 37.0/36.0/34. 37.0/36.0/3

1300 x295 1300 1300 1300 x 295 xx295 x29 6x

ecifications the Publication can be changed without aprior prior notice. Because there always an ongoing improvement on our pro cifications the Publication can be changed without notice. Because there always an ongoing improvement on our prod ations fications in the ininin the Publication Publication cancan be be changed changed without without a prior aaprior notice. notice. Because Because there there is always isisis always an an ongoing ongoing improvement improvement on on our our product. produ

ng. It's also easy to

Diffuser

Individual Controller Options

TEX

The Samsung slim duct system can also be installed with centralised and integrated controller options. Bottom Side Air Inlet

Drain Drain Drain Drain Pump Pump Pump Pump (Included) (Included) (Included) (Included) Diffuser

Diffuser

Suction Duct

AR-EH03E MRK-A10N MRK-A10N MWR-WE13N MWR-SH11N MWR-SH00N AR-EH03E MRK-A10N Wireless MWR-WE13N MWR-SH11N MWR-SH00N AR-EH03E AR-EH03E MRK-A10N MWR-WE13N MWR-WE13N MWR-SH11N MWR-SH11N MWR-SH00N MWR-SH00N Wired Controllers Controller TEX

MDP-E075SEE3D MDP-E075SEE3D MDP-E075SEE3D MDP-E075SEE3D

Suction Duct

DVM system needs to be commissioned and signed off by Fourways for the warranty to be valid

Smart Airconditioning Solutions

ED’S NOTE

At the time of writing, the COP26 was on its final day with various opinions being expressed as to the implication of a switch from the word ‘urges’ to ‘requests’ in the final draft. Whether or not this means that the world movement to cut greenhouse gas emissions will gain additional momentum is moot, but pleasingly it seems that along the line the green building industry continues to gain traction in South Africa. What is apparent is that the returns on capital invested in sustainability features in buildings are on the increase, an observation that is held out by the report of the CEO of the Green Building Council of SA to delegates to the 2021 Green Building Convention this November. According to CEO, Lisa Reynolds, certified green buildings held their own as far as vacancy and return rates go over the past year. “Property owners, tenants and investors are now insisting on better, certified green

Gareth Griffiths

buildings, as the environmental and financial benefits of these become indisputable,” she reported. In addition, the GBCSA has certified 740 buildings since 2009.

editor@tobuild.co.za Reynolds added that the 140 certifications during a challenging 2020/21 Covid year was significant and

To Build Publication @To_Build @to_build_publication

spoke to a growing green building movement. She also commended the built environment community for driving the movement, saying, “we do the certifications, but you make the commitment”. In the midst of a rising trend to move away from fossil fuels, it is disturbing to hear that multinational oil and gas company Shell has made public its plan to start a seismic survey in search for oil or gas deposits along the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape in December. Shell’s appointed surveyor will survey an area of about 6 011km2 located between Port St Johns and Morgan's Bay. On a sobering note, however, the third quarter 2021 CIDB SME Business Conditions Survey found that the vast majority of respondents are dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions. However, after dropping to 18 in the second quarter of 2021, the confidence of general building gained 10 points to register a level of 28. The better sentiment was due to the improved mood of general building in Grades 7 and 8 registered contractors. After falling to only 9 in the second quarter of 2021, Grades 7 and 8 confidence rose to 36. This is the best level of the index since the final quarter of 2018. The final quarter has certainly had its highs and its lows. One of the highs was the award by the SA Publication Forum, of the Editor of the Year accolade to Elroy van Heerden, our publisher and CEO of Media Xpose. Another high was a personal collaboration I did as co-author on a paper in the journal of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat with Arup on the use of eco bricks on a 6 star Green Star building at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town this year. The paper was published in December. TO BUILD wishes all readers a happy holiday season. Come back refreshed for the year 2022.

Gareth 4

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

refrigerant refrigerant

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

Hot water Hot water

Replacingrefrigerant refrigerant Replacing withwater waterbetween between with HBCand andindoor indoorunits units HBC

Chilled water Chilled water

World’sfirst first World’s chilledWater Water chilled HybridVRF VRF Hybrid System System

more information please 0860 ForFor more information please callcall 0860 777777 771771 Email: mitsubishi@msaircon.com | Website: www.msaircon.co.za Email: mitsubishi@msaircon.com | Website: www.msaircon.co.za

CONTENTS 6

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

ENGINEERING PERSONALITY Civils can aid economic recovery

ENGINEERING Mind the ground when excavating

52 EDITOR’S NOTE

NEWS FROM THE MARKETPLACE

EDITOR’S CHOICE

COVER STORY – ALLBRO Upgrading a South African legacy

LEAD STORY An innovation centre for a progressive school

ARCHITECTURE Farmhouse Eclecticism

CONSTRUCTION Living the construction life

CONSTRUCTION Top contract risks for construction tenderers

CONSTRUCTION LEGAL Post-lockdown – sharing the risk

DESIGN Talking design with Claire D’Adorante

DÉCOR/FURNISHINGS A unique collection driven by a fascination with natural structures

LANDSCAPING Green walls to beautify, stabilise and promote plant growth

DIY – GARDENS Lawns in the summer season

PROPERTY: OPINION – Covid-19 and a growing environmental consciousness

BATHROOMS Bathroom ideas 2022

DIY – FURNITURE Spray painting wood furniture

SaniGreen Making hygiene second nature

Our no-touch hand sanitiser unit is available in either silver or white, with a stylish plant container to match. A choice between live and silk plants is available to suit your specific environment.

Contact the Experts, today. t: 0800 77 77 88 w: www.ambius.co.za

Part of

CONTENTS & CREDITS

KITCHENS All clean in the ‘hood’?

BRICKS & CONCRETE Envirolite concrete bricks become a reality

COATINGS & PAINT Summer’s colours for the zest of sunny days

ENGINEERED TIMBER Timber construction on the rise

FLOORS Look down – it’s all in the floor

INSULATION Getting insulation done the right way

ROOFING Keep your home cool this summer with paint

PAINT Oil-based enamel paint a thing of the past …why?

ROOFING Treasure your roof

GREEN BUILDING Team play brings rewards

88 92

94 96

@To_Build

Cover Credit:

Picture Credit: 123rf.com | pixabay.com

Printed by:

100

GREEN BUILDING Why use energy efficiency service providers?

104

6 Carlton Crescent, Parklands, 7441 | Tel: 021 424 3625 l Fax: 086 270 9693 Email: info@tobuild.co.za | Website: www.mediaxpose.co.za To Build Publication

GREEN BUILDING Clay bricks and sustainable design represented at Convention

@to_build_publication

Distribution:

ON THE DOT

Publishing Director Elroy van Heerden elroy@tobuild.co.za

Editorial Assistant: Maurisha Niewenhuys maurisha@mediaxpose.co.za

Head of Editorial Tashne Singh editorial@mediaxpose.co.za

Advertising Sales Manager Rene van Heerden rene@tobuild.co.za

Editor Gareth Griffiths editor@tobuild.co.za

Advertising Sales Jacqui Marsh jacqui@tobuild.co.za

Sub-Editor Tessa O'Hara tessa.ohara@gmail.com

Digital Marketing Manager Trish Jukes digital@mediaxpose.co.za

Content Manager Wadoeda Adams artwork@mediaxpose.co.za

Social Media Coordinator Kyla van Heerden social@mediaxpose.co.za

Editorial Contributors Barry Bredenkamp Brad Boertje Brent Cock Diggers DIY MDA Attorneys Stephanie Forbes Wynand Tromp Zama Zaca

Distribution & Subscriptions Shihaam Gyer distribution@mediaxpose.co.za

Designer Anja Bramley artwork1@mediaxpose.co.za

Retail Distribution: On The Dot Chief Financial Officer Shaun Mays shaun@mediaxpose.co.za Receptionist Daniëla Daniels receptionist@mediaxpose.co.za

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or its agents. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, the publisher does not accept responsibility for any error or omission contained herein. Consequently, no person connected with the publication of this journal will be liable for any loss or damage sustained by any reader as a result of action following statements or opinions expressed herein. The publisher will give consideration to all material submitted, but does not take responsibility for damage or its safe return.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

MADE TO WORK

When it’s time to get stuck into the hard jobs it’s time for a bakkie that’s up to the task. With an over 1 ton payload, increased load-box size, 3.5 ton towing capacity improved ride comfort and a powerful petrol or diesel engine in both two- and four-wheel drive it gets the job done. Getting to the site is now the best part of the day with Nissan Connect 8” touch-screen, rear view camera and cruise control. The hardworking Navara Single Cab is now built in South Africa to be Africa tough, rugged and reliable.

Nissan Navara. Made for your journey.

RUGGED REDEFINED

Advertising Sales: Allison Davids allison@babysandbeyond.co.za Lorraine Beneke lorraine@babysandbeyond.co.za Digital Marketing Manager: Trish Jukes digital@mediaxpose.co.za Social Media: Kyla van Heerden social@mediaxpose.co.za Distribution & Subscriptions: Shihaam Gyer distribution@mediaxpose.co.za Retail Distribution: On The Dot Chief Financial Officer: Shaun Mays shaun@mediaxpose.co.za Receptionist: Daniëla Daniels receptionist@mediaxpose.co.za

The New Nissan Navara Single Cab From

R316,700

NISSAN INTELLIGENT MOBILITY FEATURES AVAILABLE ON SELECTED MODELS

Visit nissan.co.za for more.

NEWS FROM THE MARKETPLACE

CTBUH City Walk held in Cape Town The 2021 Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Global Walking Tour was celebrated in Cape Town by a group of architects, developers and media, starting at the Portswood District of the V&A Waterfont, then along the Green Point Fan Walk into the CBD. Gareth Griffiths

Gareth Griffiths

The Group doing the CTBUH Walk stopped at Greenmarket Square.

The Cityscape of Cape Town from the Sky Hotel, one of the tallest buildings in the city.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

The group paused to examine some of the features of the urban landscape, some legacy features going back the the early 1900s and other newer buildings. On the City's Foreshore, the group stopped at some of the tallest buildings in the City, before finishing at the Sky Hotel. One of the features of this walk was a short stop at Greenmarket Square, where a permanent flea market has been part of the urban habitat for decades. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) is the world’s leading non profit organisation for all those interested in the future of cities. It explores how increased urban density and vertical growth can support more sustainable and healthy cities, especially in the face of mass urbanisation and the increasing effects of climate change worldwide. The relationship between policy, buildings, people, urban density, urban space, interior space, and infrastructure is key.

70 years of building together. In the last 70 years, the Swartland Group has become one of the largest suppliers of quality products to the building industry.

and development drive continuous improvement and our exciting expansion into new categories.

Our national distribution footprint comprises two Swartland and seven SBS depots, and more than 42 000m² of warehouse space, situated in all major centres in South Africa.

Our customer promise ‘Experience Quality’ is not just a slogan. It’s our commitment to holding ourselves to the highest standards, and to ensuring that every experience with us is a quality one.

Our class-leading products include wood and aluminium windows and doors, PAR timber, skirtings, ﬁnishes, manufactured products, cornices, garage doors and automation, and most recently, XPS insulation board.

Quality doesn’t only apply to our products, it’s infused in every facet of our business, from our admin staff to our service teams.

Staying at the forefront of technology, design, and production efﬁciency, our ongoing research

We encourage our people to look past their computer, their production lines and know that they’re part of a greater mission to deliver quality to the homes of millions of South Africans.

CERTIFIED

www.summitxps.co.za

www.swartland.co.za

www.hydrodoors.co.za

NEWS FROM THE MARKETPLACE

LIV Lanseria benefits from industry association

LIV Lanseria (previously known as the Refilwe Community Project) has been assisting the Lanseria communities for over 27 years. Founded in 1991 as a health care clinic, it has since developed into a life-giving village for orphaned and vulnerable children, which produces healthy families, empowered communities, and future leaders for South Africa. Recently it placed 14 abandoned or previously vulnerable children into a safe family home, and also impacted the lives of 2 500 children from surrounding areas. SAVA Thanks to a timely donation by the Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA), the association representing the local vinyls industry, a brand new aftercare and ablution facility was handed over to LIV Lanseria in October. “We felt it was important for us to identify a worthy cause that we could support and encourage all our members to rally around. Representing the entire PVC value chain, we are passionate about our products. These are used for water pipes, floors, building and construction, ceilings, conduits and cables, door and window frames, décor, packaging items and healthcare products. Vinyls are versatile, durable, reliable, cost-effective, lowmaintenance and fit-for-purpose. We wanted LIV Lanseria to benefit from these benefits,” said Monique Holtzhausen, CEO of SAVA. Prior to the building of the new facility, LIV Lanseria had only one aftercare centre where all the children, ages 2 to 18, had to do their homework, conduct research, and complete their school projects after school hours. There were no separate areas for different age groups, as a result, the pre-graders were playing, while matric students were trying to study. Obviously not an ideal situation, the SAVA leadership began raising funds and approaching suppliers to build the muchneeded after-school centre with new ablution facilities. “‘Touching and changing lives with vinyls’ was our project motto and supported the 12

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

LIV Lanseria vision of rescuing a child, restoring a life, raising a leader and releasing a star. We are grateful to have been able to complete the project, despite the delay caused by the pandemic, during a year where there is so much hardship and suffering all around us,” Holtzhausen said. Jay Strydom, CEO of LIV Lanseria added: “A huge word of thanks for the donated funds and resources towards this new facility

that is built almost entirely from PVC. From the frame to the floors, ceilings, pipes and conduits, all of this will bear testimony for many years to come of your generosity and kindness.”

NEWS FROM THE MARKETPLACE

Protective workwear company

celebrates its heritage It’s a focus on quality and service delivery – as well as long experience – that has allowed international and local protective workwear company, Sweet-Orr & Lybro, to survive and thrive for 150 years, even during the Covid-19 lockdown, says its Executive Director. Sweet-Orr & Lybro In the past two and a half decades, South Africa’s textile industry has struggled to hold its own against competitors from cheaper labour markets. Too often, the fast fashion industry has seen a race to the bottom, with labour exploitation and shoddy products. According to SweetOrr & Lybro Executive Director, Denver Berman-Jacob, his company has taken a very different focus. It has identified a gap where quality is prized and has invested in the knowledge and skill required to be a trusted manufacturer.

than tailoring their own. Sweet-Orr was possibly the first commercial manufacturer of blue jeans, according to the New York Times, and supplied official uniforms to the US armed forces and Boy Scouts Association for over 100 years.

in Elsies River opened, with production capacity of 3 500 garments per day. All Sweet-Orr & Lybro garments are manufactured here by skilled machinists. The company is wholly and proudly South African owned.

In 1931 offices were established in the booming Union of South Africa after the US company diversified. In partnership with UK brand Lybro, Sweet-Orr & Lybro opened offices in Woodstock, Cape Town. In 1969, the current 5 500 square metre premises

“There’s no doubt that we’ve weathered some severe storms over the years, but we’ve always sought out the opportunities and we’ve never compromised on quality,” says company CEO John Jacobs.

Sweet-Orr & Lybro has this year celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding and its 90th year in South Africa. Creative thinking, agility, flexibility, and a diversified product offering and market base has been key to its survival. The company grew from humble beginnings in Wappingers Falls, New York state, in 1871 when James Orr and his nephews, Clayton and Clinton Sweet identified the need for workwear which labourers could buy off-the-shelf rather

"We’ve always sought out the opportunities and we’ve never compromised on quality

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

EDITOR’S CHOICE

New structural anchoring adhesive Sika AnchorFix®-3030 was recently introduced to the South African market. When it comes to structural anchoring, the manufacturer describes it as an epoxy resin based, two-part, thixotropic, high performance adhesive for anchoring bolts, threaded rods and reinforcing bars, in both cracked or uncracked concrete, and in both dry or damp concrete. According to Sika, it has exceptional high load capacity, even in cracked or wet concrete. It has a long open time, yet is fast curing – every applicator’s dream. It works in standard application guns, making the changeover much easier. To complete the system, Sika offers the gun, spare nozzle, hole cleaning brushes and cleaning pump, which together ensure great application. Sika AnchorFix®-3030 holds the highest standard of quality and has the following certifications: • ETA for anchoring in cracked concrete • ETA for post installed rebar connections • Seismic tested (C1 & C2) • Fire resistant • Styrene-free • Drinking water certified (WRAS) • LEED certification • The manufacturer’s AnchorFix calculation software, a tool used to calculate the exact amount of product needed for a project as a value add. www.sika.co.za

Full range of digital mechanical torque wrenches for all industries There are very few things that are not going digital. Herewith, something that will make engineers, DIY mechanics and building contractors smile. Seven new units of all the popular models are now available covering all the industry needs for safe torqued nut tightening. The new units are made from high quality tensile tool steel and come with a direction paddle, a quick socket release button, macro torque scale, pull/ push locking knob and coated knurled aluminium handle for a comfortable secure grip.

Digital mechanical torque wrench sizes and specs: • 1/4” X 5-25NM • 3/8” X 5-30NM • 3/8” X 5-60NM • 1/2” X 10-110NM • 1/2” X 20-210NM • 1/2” X 65-350NM • 1/2” X 70-400NM Available from leading hardware chain stores.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

Smarter control, quieter experience & more energy savings. Alliance has a wide selection of commercial inverter swimming pool heat pumps which is rapidly becoming the technology of choice for resorts, hotels, gyms, swim schools, spa aqua therapy pools and other large Olympic size pools. The Alliance full inverter heat pumps offer the ability to vary the heating capacity to suit different weather conditions resulting in reduced energy consumption and noise when compared to On/Off type pool heat pumps. Alliance’s inverter swimming pool heat pumps are the perfect solution for consistent reliability as well as an affordable environmentally friendly solution to heating pools all year round. Contact Fourways Group for more details.

w w w. a l l i a n c e a i r. co . z a

JHB & Central: +27 (0)11 704 6320 · PTA: +27 (0)12 643 0445 Cape Town: +27 (0)21 556 8292 · KZN: +27 (0)31 579 1895 Gqeberha: +27 (0)43 722 0671 · East London: +27 (0)43 722 0671

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Affordable spray gun options now available Complete kits, a full range of spray guns, compressors, accessories, hoses and a full range of airbrushes for the home workshop and professional are now available. AirCraft and GAV “The AirCraft brand is especially well-known among airbrush artists, spray painters and air tool users,” says Ryan Hunt, Sales Director at Vermont Sales. The range covers extensive pneumatic solutions, offering a complete solution to the market and the workplace. “What really works for this brand is our comprehensive range, our service, countrywide dealer network, a great selection of accessories and available parts and our free air tool training course for our customers, Air Supply in The Workshop, which covers all you need to know about the products, setting up your workshop, features, pneumatic systems and air tools,” Hunt adds. The Comp04 kit consists of a compressor and airbrush kit, a quality airbrush set with a highperformance, oil-free piston compressor. This offers airbrush specialists complete flexibility in all areas. In addition, a range of convenient industrial quality gravity feed spray gun kits include a touch-up spray gun as well as a full size HVLP spray gun. www.vermontsales.co.za

Expanded waterproofing

range for contractors TAL, a division of Norcros SA, has launched a new fibre-enriched acrylic waterproofing compound that is fully compatible with cement-based tile adhesives. TAL

“The fibre-enriched formulation provides a flexible waterproofing system ideal for use in shower recesses, roofs, parapets, exterior balconies, tiled ponds, pools and water features prior to tiling. It’s also very easy to apply,” says Sharon Margon, TAL Technical Advice Supervisor. TAL Superflex Fibre 1K possesses excellent flexibility and UV resistance which allows it to be left exposed on non-trafficable roof slabs and parapet walls. The fibre-enriched formulation of this product also eliminates the need for reinforcing membranes in most applications and is ideal for installations where no significant building movement will take place, or where the use of a membrane-reinforced system is impractical. It’s available in grey or white and is paintable using acrylic.

The product is classified as a DMO membrane material (Dispersion Liquid-applied Water Impermeable Membrane), with Crack Bridging Ability at Low Temperature -0 in terms of EN14891.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

Install Summit XPS insulation

SEASONS WILL CHANGE

‘ROOM TEMPERATURE’

SHOULDN’T

board in your home, office, factory or agricultural structure and keep the temperature comfortable all year round. XPS is eco-friendly, reduces your energy costs and requires no maintenance. Available from major hardware retailers and SBS stores nationwide. For more information visit www.summitxps.co.za or call 086 110 2425.

COVER STORY

ALLBRO

Upgrading a South African legacy

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

COVER STORY

Weatherproof socket outlet boxes made by Allbro have been a familiar sight in homes and public spaces around South Africa for more than 40 years. These tried and tested little enclosures have proven themselves in some of the harshest environments and have remained the outright industry standard in the face of numerous foreign variants being offered. While the trusty and familiar favourites will still be available for years to come, there has been an increasing demand for an up-market version.

Cut the PSO-Stealth on the provided cut lines.

Introducing Allbro’s PSO-1 Stealth and PSO-2 Stealth At first glance, it is apparent that there is a dramatic difference in appearance. Once you look more closely, it becomes evident that the new product also introduces some noteworthy features. PSO Stealth has an IP level of 66, which means that it keeps the electrical socket dry, even when faced with a powerful stream of water. The Stealth models are also equipped with wing locks and a padlock point for applications that need to be secured. Allbro believes that the most important feature that has been added is the “in wall mounting capability”. By cutting the base on the cut line provided, the enclosure can be mounted precisely in the space of two standard bricks. The use of GRP (glass reinforced polyester) dramatically increases the life-span of the Stealth products and lends it’s hand to the famous Allbro durability: • Mechanical strength of GRP does not deteriorate like plastic materials that become brittle when their molecular structure is compromised by UV exposure • There is no deflection with high temperatures so the sealing of lid to base on these products remains predictable over long periods of time • The material does not ignite when it comes into contact with electrical circuits, therefore not a fuel source for an electrical fire (glow wire 960 degrees)

Once cut, the PSO-Stealth fits between two bricks, making installation simple, easy and elegant.

+27 11 894 8341 new@allbro.com www.allbro.com

OLD MEETS NEW volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

ADVERTORIAL: ALLBRO

8 Way ADB Distribution Board Our 8 Way ADB Distribution Board is the electrical solution you’ve been looking for. Allbro believes that function and innovation should not come at the cost of appearance. That’s why our 8 Way ADB Distribution Board is designed to be discreet. Available in flush and surface mounting options, the enclosure is made from GRP to ensure a long life-span. The front cover is adjustable up to 6º to compensate for builders’ error - no need to re-do the installation. The enclosures come with pre-fabricated knockouts placed so that the conduit sits flush. The Surface ADB has a mounting bracket with a centre indicator and locating points for a spirit level, while the flush mounted ADB has plaster guages on the side - everything you need to mount your distribution board perfectly.

• Adjustable front cover for perfect alignment • Innovative mounting solutions

The Slab Box™ The industry standard for downlight enclosures has remained the same clumsy steel design for far too long. Allbro’s Slab Box™ meets and exceeds demands. You no longer have to fear that pouring the concrete will shift your downlight enclosures out of place - our shutter mounting system fastens the enclosures directly onto the shutterboard. Pefect alignment means no more drilling from the bottom to try and fix what is cemented in stone. The bevelled edge of the housing ensures that the enclosure is recessed into the concrete, enabling you to use 70% less concrete plastering. To top it all off, the enclosure’s mounting plate fits multiple downlight diameters. Don’t compromise. Use Slab Box™.

• Easy to create straight lines • Easy to plaster • One box fits multiple downlight diameters

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

ADVERTORIAL: ALLBRO

Stealth Isolator Box New legislation for the isolation of appliances has resulted in contractors having to modify existing products. These solutions are time-consuming and often not elegant. The Stealth Isolator Box is specifically designed for this application. With an IP Level 66, the enclosure will keep your isolator switch dry in all weather. The padlock-able model is available for added security. Comes fitted with a 25A switch.

+27 11 894 8341 new@allbro.com www.allbro.com

• IP Level 66 • Flush and surface mounted

Camera-Den™ Installation and maintenance woes are a thing of the past, thanks to Allbro’s Camera-Den™. The first of it’s kind, the Camera-Den™ is revolutionising the way surveillance cameras are mounted and secured. The patented separate cable housing area means that the camera can be secured to the junction box on the ground. Once secured, simply screw the bracket into the wall. The Camera-Den™ easily hooks onto this bracket, allowing the camera angle to be adjusted while the cables remain free and accessible. Connect the wires, close the unit and your camera is installed. Perform maintenance and repair work on the cables without having to remove the camera, ensuring that the field of vision is never compromised.

CHANGING THE WAY WE INSTALL SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

LEAD STORY

An innovation centre for a progressive school

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

LEAD STORY

Parklands College, along with development partner Milnerton Estates, commissioned multidisciplinary design studio dhk Architects to tackle a new and challenging tech education project. The brief was to create a substantial addition to its existing campus, dedicated entirely to spaces that facilitate progressive teaching techniques and philosophies.

The project, Parklands College’s ‘Innovation Centre’ subsequently became the 2021 winner of the prestigious SAPOA (South African Property Owner’s Association) Awards in the ‘Other’ category. “Over the past several years, schools around the world, including South Africa have begun to embrace new modes of learning. This shift has emerged as a result of technological advancements, new ways of accessing and disseminating information, as well as a pedagogical shift towards collaborative or blended learning” says Sarah Patterson, dhk’s project architect on a newly established Innovation Centre for Parklands College.

Dave Southwood

The college is located in Parklands, one of the west coast suburbs of Cape Town and is listed as an Apple Distinguished School, centres of leadership and educational excellence located around the world that demonstrate the tech giant’s vision for learning with technology.

PROJECT TEAM Developer: Parklands College & Milnerton Estates Limited Architects: dhk Architects Education Consultants: Parklands College Structural Engineers: Henry Fagan & Partners Mechanical + Electrical Engineers: Sutherland Consulting Engineers Landscaping: dhk Architects Quantity Surveyor: B&L Quantity Surveyors Main Contractor: Stabilid Cape Construction Fire Consultant: Sutherland Consulting Engineers Sustainability Consultant: PJ Carew Consulting Land Surveyor: bvi Engineering Interior Designer: dhk thinkspace Lighting Consultant: Lights by Linear Civil Engineers: bvi Engineering Photographer: Dave Southwood

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LEAD STORY

A progressive approach A key focus area involved creating spaces to facilitate group work and classes that combine science, technology, engineering and mathematics-based subjects with artbased subjects into creative problem-solving activities. Additionally, as a local leader in the emerging field of robotics, another focus area was on creating workshop-style learning spaces to facilitate soft entrepreneurial- and vocational-based skills training According to the college, robotics creates an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) in learners from a young age. As such, Parklands College integrated LEGO Mechanics and LEGO Robotics as an addition to its subject offerings from an early phase of education. Hence, themes of interconnectivity, transparency and movement were vital to the ethos of the centre. When considering what sort of ‘spatial instruments’ could facilitate such new modes of learning and how they might deviate from traditional environments, the architects conducted a series of workshops with the college and professional team, testing a range of configurations which balanced the need for stimulating and physically connected spaces with the need for moments of quiet focus, or careful acoustic control; spaces that balance a

sense of containment with a feeling of connectedness. The solution was ultimately found in clusters of interconnected spaces of varying sizes, often adjacent to or connected by circulation spaces, which have the opportunity to become recreational areas or extensions of the learning environment.

glass double-volume recreational atrium aptly named ‘Grand Central’, which forms the nucleus of the building. Not only does the atrium serve as a central movement hub, but it is also used for activities such as informal gatherings, impromptu performances, selfstudy and immersive digital experiences.

Two solid rectilinear wings separated by courtyards

Overall, the architectural design is contemporary and elegantly simple. It makes a distinct departure from the existing style of the campus buildings, yet remains sympathetic to the overall, orthogonal planning. The form of the building was strongly driven by optimising spatial relationships while adhering to the basic tenets of good environmental design, particularly internal environmental comfort.

Conceptually, the building was envisioned as two solid rectilinear wings separated by courtyards; the southern wing responding to the college’s quadrangle and the gently bending northern wing providing a distinctive, striking backdrop to the playing fields. The two wings are simultaneously split and bound together by a large, steel-and-

Several playful details throughout the new building Of interest to the casual eye are the several playful details throughout the new building. One is the distinctive, perforated aluminium screen which bathes the atrium in dappled light. The embedded pattern on the screen is a subtle reference to the concept of coding, where holes of different sizes create a sense of openness but also form vertical streams of light spots which reveal words reflecting the ethos of the building – ‘discover’ and ‘innovate’. Additionally, the DNAinspired pendant light-fittings in the atrium remind learners of the human code within us.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

Single Coat Oil-Based Wood Stain

Protects, nourishes and colours wood in one easy application

Can be used on all types of uncoated wood for both interior and exterior application Easy to apply in one single coat 1 litre covers up to 50m² A Global Green Tag certified product Wide colour range with over 70 colours to choose from Good stock levels and quick turn around time

Low VOC’s Competitively priced quality product backed by great service Jax Oleum works successfully with other over coat brands Proudly made in South Africa

Jax Oleum is incredibly effective and highly durable. It enhances the grain and transforms the look of any natural wood. www.jaxoleum.co.za +27 11 444 7221 info@jaxoleum.co.za DISTRIBUTORS

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KWAZULU-NATAL

NAMIBIA

ARCHITECTURE

Farmhouse Eclecticism This edition's architectural conceptual project comes from Wynand Tromp. Tromp Studio

Wynand Tromp

When the Marais’ first came to Tromp Studio (www.tromp.studio) to design their dream home in the East of Pretoria, they came with a beautiful and densely vegetated 5 000m2 plot to build on, and two very distinct architectural styles. The challenge they were facing was that Mr Marais liked a raw and rustic industrial architectural design, and Mrs Marais wanted a traditional South African farmhouse or barn aesthetic. The concern that they had was that one of them was going to get what they wanted, and that the other was going to have to sacrifice their dream of living in a home that they truly loved. The question they were wrestling with was whether there was a way to marry these two architectural styles into one building, without compromising the architectural

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

integrity of the design? The answer to this question is not as simple as one might think. For some, the first response to this might be, “absolutely not”. They might

argue that by doing this you will lose the architectural value of both these styles, and that the building might end up with no architectural style at all.

What is an architectural style? To debate this argument, let’s look at the definition of an architectural style. According to the Encyclopedia of the New American Nation, an architectural style is defined as being a set of characteristics and features that make a building or other structure notable or historically identifiable. If we accept this definition to be accurate, it’s safe to say that the ‘notable’ characteristics and features of each of the styles the Marais’ liked, could be compared to establish certain similarities between the styles. Should there be no similarities, one could find features that could possibly be used in harmony together in a single design. The process of combining many different types of things in interesting or unusual ways is known as eclecticism, and in itself, eclecticism is an architectural style that flourished in the 19th and 20th centuries. This architectural style is considered by many to be innovative, inventive, and sometimes even trendsetting. Most new inventions were based on an amalgamation of other sets of ideas and concepts, so this process should be encouraged for the advancement of modern-day architecture.

ARCHITECTURE

An industrial farmhouse Taking the above into consideration, a comprehensive analysis of the architectural styles that Mr and Mrs Marais found appealing was conducted. The highlighted characteristics acted as design generators during the design process of their “industrial farmhouse”, and these distinct qualities became the essence of the design. A design generator in architecture is usually a restriction or limitation related to the specific site or client requirement. These restrictions are then used to inform decisions, throughout the design process. When considering architectural styles, the characteristics of such styles become the design generators of the project.

On the other end of the spectrum, one of the most notable farmhouse architectural elements is the use of a rectangular floor plan. A typical farmhouse would normally consist of a single rectangular layout, whereas a homestead would comprise a series of rectangular floor plans. For the industrial farmhouse, we have chosen to

use a series of rectangular floor plans in one building, to create multiple outdoor courtyards. Other distinctive characteristics of farmhouse architecture, which were used in this design, are high internal volumes, a light-colored exterior, side gable end roofs, a covered porch for entertainment, and a dominant fireplace.

Key features related to the industrial architectural style, like exposed ceilings and expansive small pane glazed panels were introduced into the design. The use of a variety of metal, wood, concrete and brick components, aims to provide an assortment of textures throughout the indoor and outdoor spaces. Finally, the colour use is kept natural, warm and neutral, to create a sense of calm relaxation.

Restriction & obstacles require creative thinking, resulting in innovation It often happens in architecture that the restrictions and obstacles faced during the design process require creative thinking, which in turn results in innovation. The obstacles that the client might have sleepless nights over, are actually an opportunity for the architect to showcase their problem-solving abilities. This is in fact what an architect does daily. The role of an architect is to solve hurdles through design, sketches, and drawings. So, if you are tossing and turning over your envisioned building project, remember that for every obstacle, there is an eager architect with a sharp pencil and a blank piece of paper.

Wynand Tromp is the owner and principal architect at Tromp Studio in Woodstock, Cape Town. Wynand writes in his personal capacity. Interested in a farmhouse project? Pop Wynand an email at wynand@tromp.studio. volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

ADVERTORIAL: SONAE ARAUCO

Spirit – the all-new luxury finish by Sonae Arauco After a successful launch both online and on various open days around the country, Spirit, Sonae Arauco’s latest addition to the Innovus finishes range, joins an already award-winning list of distinguished finishes available under the Innovus Decorative Products umbrella by Sonae Arauco.

Spirit is an exclusive finish full of movement and contrasting textures that, when combined with Innovus premium décors, provides the natural look and feel of real wood. This final touch makes the Spirit finish an exceptional product that defines and expands upon the existing Innovus Decorative Products range.

A premium finish with its own unique collection of bespoke décors

consideration of a decorative design that incorporates a feeling of togetherness is key. Because of this, Spirit has introduced five enticing new décors to the fold. These include Amber, Aurora, Eclipse, Kingswood and Nevada.

Sets the bar for contemporary decorative solutions

While Spirit takes its place alongside Stucco, Textured, and Silhouette and Alpine, it is primarily marketed as a premium finish with its own unique collection of bespoke décors. Spirit is not just an additional finish but the new standard-bearer of Innovus Decorative Products. As such, Spirit melds with the concept of Matching Life whilst blending the aesthetics of natural patterns and urban spaces.

Beyond this, the Spirit finish sets the bar for contemporary decorative solutions both in the South African market and particularly in the European market where our goal is to align with international trends. Because of the high-quality application of this particular finish, Spirit will be available for MDF base products only. The Spirit finish, when combined with the five new décors, is created for contemporary high-end interior design projects.

Developed with the sophistication of Italian walnut in mind, this exceptional finish is the perfect solution for elegant wall panelling, furniture, and interior applications. When one envisions a multifunctional space,

The Spirit launch kicked off with an online event unveiling, which included keynote speeches from both South African and International teams. Regional show days were hosted at specified venues

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

throughout the country. These included the cities of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth. The show days presented the opportunity for affiliates and clients alike to experience Spirit in its entirety. All attendees were invited to examine the look and feel of Spirit with the new décors providing an excellent canvas for its unique texture. With exceptional feedback lauding Spirit for its intrinsic design and aesthetics, Innovus decorative products are now poised as the benchmark for wood-based décors internationally. Creating wood-based solutions for a better life, a better future, and a better planet is part of Sonae Arauco’s corporate mandate.

www.sonaearauco.co.za

ANT

TERIAL

CONSTRUCTION

Living the

construction life

TO BUILD’s editor recently had the pleasure of interviewing a young, up-and-coming Construction Management professional after becoming aware of her work via LinkedIn. Amy Cunliffe

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

CONSTRUCTION

Amy Cunliffe graduated in 2017 with a BSc Honours degree in Construction Management (CM) from the University of Cape Town. This given, she feels that she is truly a creative person at heart. “I originally wanted to be an architect, to combine my love for art and science. That didn’t work out when I didn’t get into the degree programme. But, after my second year of university studying construction management, I realised I had found my calling. I really fell in love with the industry and project management during an internship with SIP Project Managers in my final year,” she explains. Being highly motivated, she set out on her own and started a company called ARCunliffe (Pty) Ltd. Amy has structured her business to offer three services: development management in which she acts as the client’s representative in overseeing projects; project management; and time management that includes construction programming and planning. At present she is involved in two new highend house builds in Bishopscourt and Camps Bay as client liaison and representative. “There’s also the renovation of a high-end house in Llandudno that I am working on as a project manager,” which she adds, has been her biggest work-related achievement to date.

So, what attracts you to construction management? “My favourite part of my day is doing site visits. I also love the challenges each new project brings and the really interesting building technologies I get to engage with, as well as the diversity of people I get to interact with. I always tell people that the main business of construction is managing people. “The fact that we get buildings out at the end is almost secondary. And as a business owner, I am getting to engage with some incredible people. My biggest achievement to date has been starting my own business. I’ve been working for myself now for about 18 months.

“It is wonderful after a project is finished, to drive down the street and point to buildings and say ‘I made that happen and I know that building intimately’. “High-end residential is particularly exciting as the projects have the budget for innovative technologies and always the most gorgeous finishes. Working in Camps Bay, Bishopscourt and Llandudno comes with the most stunning ‘office’ views! “To be a woman in this industry takes a lot of deep personal work. You have to know who you are and what you stand for and then stand for it unwaveringly. You learn how to be fierce. You learn what fights to pick and what fights to sob about over a glass of wine with your friends later. In the same breath there are plenty of men who truly value having women in the industry. The people I am currently working with are an example. “

What is development management? “Development management is essentially project management for the client. I do this for clients whose core business is not building. It is different to being the lead project manager or principal agent. “It’s important because it fills a void in the industry, particularly on highend projects. I am independent from the project team. I help them to filter information back to the client and also guide the client on when and what they need to take action on. It makes everyone’s life less stressful.”

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CONSTRUCTION

Philosophy and approach “I think with both development management and time management, the really important aspects are providing more control and transparency. “Construction projects that are not well controlled are frustrating for everyone involved and waste time and money. Honesty and transparency are some of my strongest core values. “What I believe to be truly important to my success is to have a vision of what this success should look like, and then to stick unwaveringly to that vision. I aim to keep my core values strong and close to heart and to not get into anything that conflicts with those core values or vision.” Amy ultimately wants to develop and build her own properties as well. She feels strongly about the importance of employing more and more sustainable building practices. “We spend our entire lives in man-made environments and they should be made to address our collective needs and future needs.”

Challenges “The single biggest challenge I will ever face are other people. I have quickly realised that no one does anything in industry without other people. Find the people who will support you all the way to the top, they are invaluable. Being able to recognise who these people are early on is an essential skill to any ambitious entrepreneur. “My narrative as a woman in the construction industry is also highly important, since it is the same as any woman in a male dominated field. We are constantly at the rock face of misogyny and hold fiercely to feminist ideals. I frequently encounter sexism and misogyny, and men who believe women don’t belong in the industry or shouldn’t be leaders. “In the broader work context we’ve lost our true artisans because poor families are pushing their children to get degrees in accounting, engineering, and medicine because these jobs are perceived to be high-paying. This causes an overall

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decrease in the quality of expertise available, and very few manage to operate at a high-end level in their trades. And then quality on site is always an issue.

Believe in your dream “It’s great not having a desk job. When I was first introduced to the idea of having a career when I was about 13, my very first criterion was ‘I must be able to go outside often’. If you believe in your dream, it is more likely to come true. I could not imagine spending all day just sitting at my desk – I would go mad,” Amy concludes. Amy is currently pursuing an accreditation with the Green Building Council South Africa. This will allow her to practice as a Green Building Consultant also.

When she is not on site, Amy Cunliffe has many interests. She’s an artist specialising in watercolours and oil paints, brews her own beer and is an international traveller. She’s also active, playing touch rugby with a ‘really awesome‘ social club. Email: amy@arcunliffe.co.za

CONSTRUCTION

Top contract risks

for construction tenderers Brad Boertje 36

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CONSTRUCTION

With the construction industry continuing to face significant challenges, which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis, it’s vital that contractors and subcontractors pay even greater attention to the risks they assume when they enter into contracts, says Brad Boertje, a construction risk management consultant and ADR practitioner for the Master Builders Association (MBA) North.

“Too often, contractors and subcontractors don’t pay sufficient attention to the risks inherent in a specific contract, and this trend is strengthened because work is so scarce that companies just tend to sign,” he says. “Some risks cannot be avoided, but there are common risks that can be managed better, and we are urging our members and the rest of the industry to do the work. If these risks materialise, they can land a company in deep water and turn a potential profit into a loss.”

Contract data The first risk highlighted by Boertje is inaccurate contract data. Whatever types of contracts are used, all the contract data must be accurately entered on the contract. Every contract has its own variables, such as programme access dates, insurances, security measures and the like. These details are typically issued by the quantity surveyor when inviting tenderers to submit a bid for a project or subcontract scope. “In all instances, the tenderer needs to have sight of the completed contract data before submitting a tender bid. Only the last section which is for the tenderer to complete should be left blank,” Boertje says. “Above all, don’t let other parties complete variables which are your prerogative.”

Performance guarantee The second key risk that needs to be managed is the performance guarantee. “It’s not widely known that the default form of security for performance is a guarantee, not cash retention,” says Boertje. “In my opinion, contractors should avoid cash retention for a number of good reasons.”

These reasons include the fact that no interest is payable on retained cash and contractors/subcontractors have to wait until the issue of the final completion certificate to receive their full payment. Given that the industry’s margins are so thin, a cash retention might actually mean the contractor experiences a negative cash flow throughout the whole project, something that few can weather. And then, if the company holding the retention gets into financial difficulties, the cash retained on behalf of the contractor is likely to be lost. Boertje’s advice is to insist on a variable construction guarantee whenever possible. Never forget that it’s the

tenderer’s prerogative to specify the nature of the security it will provide.

Special terms and conditions A final risk that can be managed more effectively with a little effort relates to a contractor’s special terms and conditions. The key point to understand here is that before any subcontractor submits a tender, he has the right to be informed about a contractor’s special terms and conditions, or special terms that the contractor has accepted from the principal. “These are ultimately all contractual risks, and as such need to be taken seriously – signing on the dotted line and hoping for the best is the pathway to ruin,” Boertje concludes.

It’s not widely known that the default form of security for performance is a guarantee, not cash retention.

About the MBA North and the author Brad Boertje is a construction risk management consultant and ADR practitioner for the Master Builders Association (MBA) North. The Master Builders Association North represents the interests of employers in the building and allied trade industries in four regions. It aims to serve its members by facilitating best practice within its membership and the building industry as a whole. The Master Builders Association North has a range of training and other offerings designed to help members negotiate these areas safely and effectively, and build a sustainable business.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

CONSTRUCTION LEGAL

Post-lockdown – sharing the risk The most common standard form contracts in the construction sector have been slow to adapt post the Covid-19 lockdown. According to construction and technology specialist, MDA Attorneys (www.mdalaw.co.za), they must be revised to accommodate new construction technologies, dispute and claim resolution methods and ever-changing risk. MDA Attorneys

None of the standard form contracts were able to ensure a fair sharing of risk between employer and contract in terms of the impact of the pandemic.

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CONSTRUCTION LEGAL

“While there are some changes being introduced to standard form contracts, as well as particular conditions of contract, they do not adequately address the risks faced by the parties to a construction contract,” says Euan Massey, a director at the firm. The most obvious risk over the past 18 months has been the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Massey says that none of the standard form contracts were able to ensure a fair sharing of risk between employer and contract in terms of the impact of the pandemic. “Certain contracts entitled contractors to time extensions only. As a result, contractors bore the brunt of financial losses due to the halting of construction. They also carried the costs of the additional safety measures required on active sites,” he explains. Yet other standard form contracts allowed contractors to claim additional costs and extensions of time. Massey says that, in many cases, this resulted in the employer carrying most of the financial loss and additional costs associated with the changed health and safety requirements.

Covid-19 no longer unforeseeable Soon after Covid-19 was declared a pandemic, several attorneys began to draft clauses to more equitably address its impact, yet there are still parties concluding contracts without a Covid-19 clause. Since Covid-19 is no longer unforeseeable, parties are assumed to have allowed for the risk associated with the pandemic in a contract before entering into it, so it is really problematic not to include a Covid-19 clause. Covid-19 clauses which are being included as particular conditions in standard form contracts typically deal with the impact of localised outbreaks of Covid-19 on site and the possible ramifications of additional lockdowns and/or changed legislation. To achieve a fair balance of risk, the parties typically agree to the contractor receiving payment for identifiable costs associated with these impacts, and extensions of time.

Greater focus on dispute avoidance Over the past few years, dispute avoidance clauses have been included in the most common standard form contracts (FIDIC 2017 and NEC4). The purpose of these clauses is to identify early interventions to avoid or limit the extent of disputes. “Dispute avoidance clauses require that the parties resolve their disagreements by reaching consensus, which is typically achieved with the intervention of a third party or a board. However, these dispute avoidance procedures are unlikely to prove successful in the public sector as they do not address the issues faced by public sector officials under increased scrutiny,” says Massey.

“During 2020, we saw a continuation of the trends apparent in MDA’s annual adjudication survey over the past few years. The most common disputes referred for adjudication referred to claims for extension of time and related costs, followed by claims for payment of outstanding monies. Disputes involved an amount of less than R5 million and most adjudicators were appointed by agreement between the parties,” says Massey. Editor's note: The adjudication survey is available at www.mdalaw.co.za/adjudication-survey

Adjudication growing in South Africa Locally, there has been a continued increase in the use of adjudication to resolve construction disputes, particularly in respect of public sector construction contracts. Public officials responsible for administering construction contracts are hesitant to take decisions or deal with variations and claims when they arise. The adjudication procedure allows for these issues to be referred to an independent third party for a binding decision, providing a mechanism for dealing with change – albeit slightly delayed.

Euan Massey, construction and technology specialist, MDA Attorneys volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

HARVEY EcoTile

A DIVISION OF

The green roof tile for all the right reasons

– Mineral Polymer Composite Roof Tiles – Welcome to the future of roofing – a technological breakthrough from Harvey Roofing Products: the Harvey EcoTile®. Harvey EcoTile® is a mineral composite roof tile. By utilising 98% waste material, Harvey EcoTile® is 100% recyclable yet provides superior functional benefits to other roofing options. Harvey EcoTile’s® technological design advantage ensures an interlocking, lightweight tile that is low on maintenance,

weatherproof and virtually unbreakable in normal use. A nonporous, non-brittle finish ensures virtually zero water absorption and therefore light weight in all weather conditions. Your building’s roof is one of its most important elements in function, aesthetics, surface area and investment. Increase its functional performance and green credentials with one innovative product – Harvey EcoTile®.

Advanced engineering provides interlocking system for weather proofing and superior strength.

Precision-fit accessories provide weatherproof, maintenance-free seal.

70% mineral content.

A DIVISION OF

Tel: +27 11 741 5600

Solar compatible: Fixing brackets available.

Lightweight

Low on Maintenance

Strong & Durable

Weatherproof

• 70% lighter than comparable concrete tiles

• UV stability

• 4x stronger than standard concrete tiles

• Precision engineered interlocking design

• Virtually unbreakable in normal use

• Gaps are eliminated

• Save on roof-structure timber costs

• Ridge Tile assembly does not require unsightly cement and debris

• Shatterproof

• Wind proof beyond gale force

• No need to repaint

• Walkable once installed

• 100% Hail proof

• Easy offload and handling on-site

• Will not shift due to fixing methodology and interlocking design

• Enhanced security

• Water and leakproof

Attractive design

Easy installation

Paintable

SANS 10400-T Tested

• Classic Double Roman design

• 5 Location points for ease of placement

• Standard matte black coloured tile

• Consistent matte black textured surface

• Fixing screw ensures quick fastening and suitable for high wind areas

• No need to paint

• Harvey Eco Tile is tested in Accordance to SANS -10177 – 123 and conforms to SANS 10400-T with regards to safety distance

• Transport 3 times more roof tiles with one load

• Creates a precise and uniform complete structure

• On-site speed due to light weight • “Cuts like butter” with no dust unlike concrete tiles

www.harveyroofingproducts.co.za

• Minimised dust ingress

• Paintable with Harvey Products approved paint in any colour desired post construction

• Agrément certification

A DIVISION OF

DESIGN

Talking design with

Claire D’Adorante

Claire D’Adorante, director and interior designer with interior architecture firm, Paragon Interface.

Space affects one's mental and physical wellbeing. It’s great being able to play a part in changing people’s everyday lives for the better – no matter the type of project.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

DESIGN

TO BUILD’S editor spoke to Claire D’Adorante, a director of the highly successful interior architecture firm, Paragon Interface. Claire D’Adorante is an interior designer and workplace strategist at Paragon Interface, and is at the top of her game. Infrastructure Photos, Sarah da Pina and Gareth Griffiths Johannesburg-born, Claire, studied at the Design Centre in Greenside, Johannesburg, got her four-year BA Honours Degree and now has over 20 years’ professional working experience. “I have over 20 years’ professional working experience in the interior design industry. Starting my career in commercial interiors, I then explored a different world of retail and residential interiors, but ultimately returned to my love of workplace design,” she explains. “I’ve long been interested in art and design, hence my career in architecture. Interiors gives me a good balance between working with people and providing opportunities to explore my creativity within a technical space. There are so many different opportunities available in this industry. Interiors are very human-centric – which is the side of architecture that most interests me. After all, space affects one's mental and physical wellbeing. It’s great being able to play a part in changing people’s everyday lives for the better – no matter the type of project. “The world of work is changing dramatically. I look to find a business prepared to turn everything on its head, re-invent and try something dramatically different! Paragon Interface provides this opportunity and I love what I do,” she adds. Editor, Gareth Griffiths, asked Claire…

How do you handle the people interface? There’s a real challenge in being able to understand people, culture and creatively work around these drivers – and then to hopefully get it right!

How did it all begin? After finishing my studies in 1999, I first worked in SA doing commercial, then retail and residential interiors. Travelling

to Australia in 2007, I joined a large multidisciplinary practice there. This helped me to grow my personal design style and experience level. Upon returning to South Africa in 2012, I took on the role of Director at Paragon Interface, which has been an incredible experience, as it has become one of the go-to practices for workplace design today. It’s an incredibly dynamic company where we are constantly exploring new and innovative ways of design – which will ensure that I’m never going to stop learning!

What are some of the challenges? The world has changed, workspaces are becoming shared and more temporary now, with short-term rental solutions being offered, community and collaborative working becoming the new norm and business’s optimising and reducing their space requirements. Covid-19 has also had such an impact globally on the way of work. People are unsure what will happen next. We are working with our clients through workplace strategy processes to try and understand these new dynamics and how it will be when people return to work. I don’t have a crystal ball but we are actively engaging with our clients to try and understand how people want and need to work; hence there is even a greater need now to bring innovative design solutions to meet all of these challenges. What we do know is that businesses are actively trying to encourage employees to return to work and we are learning, through our engagements, that there is a real human need to remain connected. However, businesses should offer flexibility through the incorporation of new technologies that make it easier for people to be connected and which enables people to work in a more agile way. volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

DESIGN

What are agile working design solutions? Agile work is about creating flexibility. Due to technology, work is not just about working at one’s desk anymore. It’s about finding a balance of spaces that allow you to work how you need to work - for the specific task that you are doing. So (this means) creating a balance of spaces that allow you to do focus work, take online calls, collaborate and connect easily with others.

Agile working solutions at the Ridge, V&A Waterfront.

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DESIGN

What is your design philosophy? I believe that a lot about good design is intuitive, and that comes with being able to understand people and adapt to your client’s way of thinking. Building a good connection with one’s clients is critical to great project outcomes. But no-one is an island. I am fortunate to have built a close and amazing team in our practice who share a similar design ethos. We practice a collaborative design process.

What are some of the leading projects you have worked on? The Discovery Place project in Sandton still stands out for me. Its scale was significant, given that you are looking at a 112 000m2 project. Very few people in the industry can speak of being part of a project of that magnitude in their entire careers.

Inside the employee restaurant - the Ridge.

It was an overwhelming feeling standing in that atrium when we delivered the building. The project won a 2020 German Design Award for Excellent Architecture in Interior Architecture. It was also the Office Design Winner at the prestigious SBID International Design Awards 2018 in the UK and locally in SAPOA’s Interiors. The space itself influences people’s lives better every day. The staff there love the environment, and nothing is more rewarding and fulfilling than that. We have recently opened a Cape Town office which over the last three years has been a new challenge to build up our interiors business in a new market. One of our first fully completed commercial projects there for Deloitte at the Ridge in the V&A Waterfront, has also been immensely rewarding to be involved with as it’s just been awarded a 6 Star Green Star rating. To have completed that project during the Covid-19 lockdown was also one of life’s unique challenges!

Any advice to upcoming designers? It requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but it’s a very rewarding industry, offering an exciting and diverse career which is never boring. You need to trust yourself and learn as much as you can early on. Find a good mentor and a good company to start your career. The first four to five years are critical, so you need to find a company that can give you a good grounding to enable you to succeed.

Xcelerator studio for Deloitte.

“I believe in having a very strong work ethic and putting a lot into anything that you want to make a success of. Design should be seen as a way of life. If you see it as just a job, you won’t make it – that’s just my personal belief. You need to be passionate about what you do, believe in the work that you put out there, and strive for excellence in all you create.” Claire D’Adorante

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DÉCOR / FURNISHINGS

A unique collection driven by a fascination with natural structures Our design inspiration for this edition is drawn from the South African clay functional art and spatial design artist, Jan Ernst. Jan Ernst and Gareth Griffiths

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DÉCOR / FURNISHINGS

Ernst presents his work in an enigmatic natural environment where marks of ancient human presence can be felt.

Ernst has shared his work with readers, which is currently on display at the New York branch of the international contemporary sculptural design and art gallery, Galerie Philia. “After this leg of the exhibition, select pieces of mine will move on to Galerie Philia in Paris. Named, Into the Wild, this collection is pictured against the spectacular setting of the Cederberg region in South Africa and is driven by my fascination with natural structures,” says Ernst. Indeed, Ernst presents his work in an enigmatic natural environment where marks of ancient human presence can be felt, which is very appropriate to the Cederberg region. He recently exhibited his work here in South Africa as part of the unique “Right Here, Right Now!” exhibition organised by CLOUT SA at Union House in Cape Town

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HYDROZONING

Hydrozoning in landscapes Why is it important to hydrozone in landscapes and gardens? Hydrozoning saves water and money. It improves the landscape design, mimics natural plant communities, minimises the impact on the surrounding natural environment, and simplifies maintenance The concept of hydrozones (hydrostations) is based on the theory that the correct plants should be planted in shade, semi shade or sun depending on plant requirements, as defined by the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS), developed by the University of California. The Landscape Irrigation Model South Africa (LIMSA), developed by Dr Leslie Hoy, is consistent with the WUCOLS model and focuses on individual assessment of each hydrozone within a landscape. Hydrozoning, in this context, is defined as: • • • • •

A grouping or bed of plants, Plants with the same water (hydrozone) requirements, Plants are watered with the same correct amount of water, Plants are positioned correctly in the landscape, Each hydrozone has it’s own control valve, and their own specific irrigation system.

The intention of this model is to allow for a more accurate water use on any landscape site to be determined. This is particularly important for sites that will rely on any form of supplementary irrigation over and above rainfall of the area where the landscape is located. This will also apply to sites that require additional watering beyond the initial establishment period.

www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60

IRIS

WANDA

IVY

Century Properties supplies 1,280 units with an unlimited supply of hot water at the 5ive on 13th development. The group implemented Rinnai Gas Boilers, connected to Johannesburg’s only piped natural gas network, Egoli Gas. This safe delivery system offers instant and consistent thermal energy supply. Eliminating geysers means saving space, minimized safety risks and a lower insurance premium. Lower rates and better service delivery is a value add passed to tenants, who can enjoy an extra 2 to 3 minute shower without feeling it on their pockets. Why is your development not connected yet?

www.seatsahead.co.za

Tel: 011 434 0444, Email:Shantelle@chairexpress.co.za 44 Hulbert Rd Cnr Rosettenville Rd, New Centre, Johannesburg PO Box 39799, Booysens, 2016

ENGINEERING PERSONALITY

Civils can aid economic recovery According to GlobalCitizen.org, only one in five engineers in South Africa is a woman. TO BUILD interviews Alice Lennox, the recently appointed Contacts Manager at GVK-Siya Zama. Alice Lennox and GVK

As a civil engineer, Lennox strongly believes that the civil engineering industry is one that can be used to not only grow the construction industry, but the economy as a whole. Being a highly successful engineer and leading member of a newly formed civils division, she manages to achieve a balance between her career and her responsibilities as a mother to her 12-year-old daughter. She has also built solid networks with her male counterparts. “Although construction is deemed to be a man’s domain, women have successfully entered the space, and are making a

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difference and building the future of the country,” she tells TO BUILD. Lennox graduated as a civil engineer in 1996 and has worked with nearly all the major civils companies on a number of significant projects in SA and across the border, including the Limpopo Rail Line Rehabilitation Project and later the Gautrain Platform at OR Tambo Airport. In October 2020, Lennox was offered the role of Contracts Manager at GVK-Siya Zama, where she has since become a key member of the team growing a new business unit in the GVK-Siya Zama fold. Her passion for the

ENGINEERING PERSONALITY

industry, combined with her cross-functional experience and vision, are some of the strengths that have stood her in good stead in various leadership positions. Since joining the company in 2020, Lennox has been on an extended onboarding, mentoring and leadership development programme. This has included spending time with teams in the company’s building division getting to grips with systems, procedures, and pricing models and in turn developing these for the civils business in line with GVK’s operational practices. Her development programme has also included exposure to marketing and the financial management of the business.

The construction industry can be tough, challenging and demanding, although I have made the transition from safety boots to boardroom, I believe construction is in my blood and I really cannot imagine doing anything else.

We asked Lennox what project is on her plate at present? Being based at the group’s head office in Gauteng, I’m managing construction of a wastewater treatment plant for the Ngaka Modiri District Municipality in Zeerust. The site of the Ngaka Modiri district wastewater treatment plant runs over 4–5 hectares and is currently under construction. It consists of a pollution control dam, drying beds, inlet structure, a bioreactor, gravity thickener and settling tank with associated infrastructure. Much of this type of construction happens below the surface level and the job is now coming out above the ground. The entrepreneurial spirit that I have encountered at GVK-Siya Zama has stood the new civils division of the business in good stead. It takes time and commitment to ramp up the establishment of a new business and with limited work available in both the public and private sectors, companies are reliant on the government to release infrastructure development projects. It is challenging joining the business during a time when the country and the world are trying to recover from the impact of a global pandemic; however, civils is one key industry that can be used to aid economic recovery.

Alice Lennox, Contacts Manager at GVK-Siya Zama volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

ENGINEERING

Mind the ground when excavating Excavations on construction sites often result in very steep to vertical soil walls that introduce considerable risk and highlight the need for an assessment of the ground conditions and monitoring. SRK Consulting

A cubic metre of soil might look innocuous, but it typically weighs more than a small car and can weigh almost two tons...

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ENGINEERING

According to Brent Cock, engineering geologist at SRK Consulting, the risk of ground failure should be taken very seriously and engaging the right geotechnical expertise from the start of a project is extremely important. There is significant focus on what takes place above ground, and rightly so. However, more focus needs to be directed to what takes place below the surface at the start of a construction project. While deep excavations – for high-rise buildings, for instance – require specialised geotechnical assessment and design to offset the risk of failure, there are also risks attached to relatively shallow excavations of just a few metres. “A cubic metre of soil might look innocuous, but it typically weighs more than a small car and can weigh almost two tons – so any scale of ground failure can cause considerable harm to anyone nearby. We know of fatalities in excavations as shallow as 1m,” says Cock. “Even if people are not harmed, such failures can lead to costly delays in the project timeline.” Not only does an excavation wall collapse require immediate attention to allow construction to proceed, it may also hinder a range of subcontractor activities – who still need to be paid even if their equipment and personnel are standing idle. Often projects are conducted close to other structures, which may be damaged or threatened by a nearby ground failure.

A fundamental starting point A fundamental starting point is a thorough technical analysis of ground conditions in the early stages of project planning. The Geotechnical Division of the South African Institute of Civil Engineering (SAICE) Code of Practice for Geotechnical Investigations provides excellent, industry-relevant guidelines on how to proceed with a geotechnical investigation for a wide range of infrastructure development projects. “A ground investigation usually begins with a desk-top study which incorporates valuable information from previous studies about the area where your client will be working,” explains Cock. “A local professional geologist will also have a level of prior knowledge to efficiently highlight the most salient aspects of risk.” This will usually be followed by the digging of test pits to expose the ground profile, or boreholes subject to the nature of the activity e.g. very deep excavations, heavily-loaded structure/s. Soil samples are generally sent for laboratory testing for further confirmation of the engineering geologist’s interpretation and for stability assessments. The resulting report will contain recommendations for the structural and civil engineers, allowing them to mitigate the identified subsurface risks during the design phase of the development. “It is also good practice for this interpretive report to be fully reviewed by experienced professionals,” says Cock. “In SRK, we have a depth of multidisciplinary knowledge that allows senior colleagues to review these reports thoroughly before they are released for the client’s use.”

Investigations need to be properly applied Cock highlights though, that the investigation not only needs quality research, insights and recommendations; it also needs to be properly applied when construction work begins. This is best done by a qualified engineering geologist/ geotechnical engineer with sufficient experience to identify warning signs. The size and or value of the project should not matter. “The geological and geotechnical models for a project can be developed with a relatively high level of confidence but there can be complications which are not foreseen. Ultimately, the models are based on ‘isolated’ exposures of the subsurface, spread throughout a site, with interpolation required,” says Cock. “If the contractor does not have their own specialist on site then the consultant can play a valuable role in the physical inspection and monitoring of the site on regular intervals.” The inspection and monitoring process can be initiated once construction starts with the opening of trenches which provide a more continuous exposure of the ground profile across a site, for example, allowing the engineering geologist/ engineer to confirm that what they see is consistent with the research and test work conducted for the report.

Brent Cock, engineering geologist at SRK Consulting (www.srk.co.za)

“It is a concern that while many engineering disciplines are represented on a construction site, one seldom finds an engineering geologist closely engaged with the implementation of these projects,” he says. “This is particularly important in the early phases, until construction reaches ground level at least, or some of the most serious risks facing a project may be overlooked,” adds Cock.

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LANDSCAPING

Green walls to beautify, stabilise and promote plant growth An established supplier in the geotextiles market says that their team works closely with landscapers, architects and building contractors to design and install environmentallyfriendly green-wall solutions, rather than using conventional hard-facing concrete structures for retaining walls. Fibertex “Our geosynthetics are sustainable materials designed to protect our precious natural environment,” explains Burger Fourie, Technical Sales Engineer at Fibertex SA. “FiberRock 20S and 30S geocontainers are manufactured locally from water permeable needlepunch nonwoven fabrics. By filling these bags with a free-draining medium, like sand, a durable retaining structure can be built, which allows the free passage of water through the structure. These geocontainers are also used as a medium for planting shrubs, which eventually cover the entire structure, to create green wall solutions. The soil mass behind retaining walls can be reinforced with Fibertex Secugrid geogrids, which is a soil reinforcing geogrid manufactured from high modulus extruded monolithic bars and welded junctions. This material is used to minimise soil deformation under tensile loads over the lifetime of the structure. 54

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All variations of these geocontainers are manufactured at the company’s plant in KwaZulu-Natal, according to the consistent quality control policy of the Fibertex group, which is held to stringent international standards. Fourie says that his company’s geosynthetics range encompasses a complete portfolio of nonwoven and woven geotextiles, as well as gabions and mattresses, drainage pipes, fittings

and erosion control and cellular confinement solutions. In addition, it supplies soil reinforcing products, including geogrids and geocells, as well as geosynthetic clay liners as part of composite lining systems in modern landfills. “Our local team supports the company’s diverse product range with a technical advisory service throughout the African continent,” he concludes.

ADVERTORIAL: FIBERTEX

Green walls using Fibertex geocontainers Fibertex geocontainers are used to create green walls with far more appeal than conventional hard-facing concrete structures.

Fibertex geosynthetics are sustainable materials designed to protect our precious natural environment.

Fibertex FiberRock geocontainers are a lightweight, durable and costeffective solution for the construction of environmentally friendly reinforced retaining walls. #designforlife

Fibertex 20S and 30S geocontainers • Are used in the construction of protection structures in landscaping and building installations, to guard against flooding and for erosion control. • Are manufactured from a strong and porous fabric, which is mechanically needlepunched together. • By filling these bags with free-draining medium grain sand, a durable retaining structure can be built, which allows the free passage of water through the structure. • Can be used as a medium for planting shrubs, which will eventually cover the entire structure, to create an attractive green wall. Visit www.fibertex.com/products/geosynthetics/geocontainers for more insights and information.

Fibertex Head Office +27 31 736 7100 salesza@fibertex.com www.fibertex.com

DIY – GARDENS

DIY:

Lawns in the summer season TO BUILD thanks the CEO of Rolux, Stuart Williams, for sharing these tips on how to maintain your lawn in summer. Rolux You’ve seen the lush lawns on the glossy pages of garden magazines, and perhaps you feel this perfection is unattainable, but with the right advice and the best equipment, you can make these dream lawns a reality in your garden too.

Chuck out the old, bring in the new Scarify. Using a strong, but affordable rake, remove old, dead grass to make way for new growth. Getting rid of this dead matter allows water, air and nutrients to get through to the roots. This can be done on kikuyu and cynodon lawns, which have runners, but not evergreen, shade-loving lawns.

With the arrival of summer, here’s how to get out into the sunshine and embark on a summer lawn care regime. This is what the experts advise:

Step 1: Loosen dead grass with your rake or scarifier. Tip: renting a scarifier is often the most efficient and most affordable solution. Step 2: Cut your lawn using the lowest height setting of your lawnmower. Step 3: Remove the clippings using your special rake and add to your compost heap.

Breathe life into your lawn Aerate. Aeration allows air to get to the roots of the grass, which aids in drainage, making available all the minerals and nutrients needed for lush growth. It also reduces soil compression and increases the water holding capacity of the soil. Ensure the job is done right with a 500mm spike roller. Step 1: Aerate your lawn using your spike roller. Tip: If your ground is firm, water generously before using your spike roller to ensure proper aeration.

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DIY – GARDENS

Dress for success Apply lawn dressing. This is a mixture of garden soil and a soil enricher, such as compost. Usually applied in spring and early summer, it improves the quality of your soil, levels out uneven bits and stimulates the grass to produce new shoots. Depending on your lawn type, the general recommendation is a 1.5cm layer of lawn dressing. Note that buffalo grass, LM and all cool season lawns do not tolerate lawn dressing. Step 1: Place small heaps of dressing on your lawn, and more in any small depressions. Step 2: Spread the dressing evenly over your lawn, creating a level surface. You can use a smooth roller if your lawn is very uneven, such as the 500mm Smooth Roller, but don’t overdo it so you don’t compact the soil underneath.

Keep it fed Fertilise. Lawns love to eat and drink – and require a good dose of TLC to look their best. A good general fertiliser for all lawn types is 5:1:5. Apply this fertiliser during the growing season at a rate of 60g per square metre at least once every three months. Alternatively, use a specialised fertiliser for established lawns available at your local garden centre. Repeat this process every four weeks throughout the season, or alternate with a high nitrogen fertiliser like LAN. Importantly, you must water after fertilising to avoid burning your lawn.

Make the cut Mow. One of the best ways to get the best out of your lawn is by mowing it properly. We tend to cut our lawns short, increasing the time between mowings. However cutting it too short can damage and weaken your grass and decrease its drought resistance. Adjust your mower blades so that you don’t take off more than a third of the grass length – especially for the first cut in spring or early summer. Regularly cutting your grass helps thicken up your lawn and keep weeds at bay, so keep mowing. As a general rule, keep kikuyu at a height of 4-6cm, finer grasses such as cynodont at 3-4cm and shade lawns at a height of 6-7cm. Do the job right, right now. A wide choice of petrol and electric mowers is available, including models with extra strong steel chassis, extra strong wheels with sealed steel ball bearings, extra strong steel axles. The supplier offers an extra-long three-year warranty on the chassis. Take time out in your garden this summer. Stuart adds that lawnmowers, special rakes and smooth rollers are available from Rolux to lighten the load. (Who will forget the famous “Rolux Magnum” advert – Oops, Ed. showing his age.)

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PROPERTY: OPINION

Covid-19 and a growing environmental consciousness An unintended consequence of the ongoing pandemic happened when nature temporarily reclaimed urban areas in the initial phases of the worldwide lockdowns, which included bans on air travel. Can there be a more profound and long-lasting shift on the horizon, asks a Cape Town property developer? Blok Jacques van Embden, Managing Director at property development firm Blok, believes that Covid-19 has heightened consumers’ environmental awareness – and that this growing consciousness is here to stay. “In the early days of lockdown, people found that they could suddenly breathe better, see the stars more clearly, hear the birds sing, and rest more peacefully at night. They are now demanding a continuation of this sense of sanctuary, and are seeing a clear change in everything from their consumption patterns, to where and how they choose to live,” he says.

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Real estate developers must keep pace with tenants’ green demands for energy and water efficiency, with respect to both existing and new leases.

PROPERTY: OPINION

Consumers more aware of their impact on the planet He believes that consumers are becoming increasingly aware of our impact on the planet and the long-term effects of our short term decisions. “This is increasingly important to the younger demographics who are seeing first-hand the impact of industrialisation,” he adds. Global research backs this. A study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research in China revealed that in those cities that had experienced the greatest reduction in air pollution during February and March 2020, citizens’ interest in environmental issues increased, and consequently they adopted more green behaviours in the months that followed. Meanwhile, in a 2020 global survey by Accenture, 60% of consumers surveyed were found to be making more environmentally-friendly, sustainable or ethical purchases with 90% claiming that they were likely to continue doing so, while another study by Kantar said that sustainability was highlighted as more of a concern for consumers since the onset of the pandemic. "It's clear that consumption is looking very different than it used to”, says Oliver Wright, global lead of consumer goods and services at Accenture. "This is a ‘black swan’ event. It is making people think more about balancing what they buy, and how they spend their time, with global issues of sustainability.” Following its global survey that found that consumers were more, not less, concerned about addressing environmental challenges in the aftermath of the pandemic, the Benefits Services Group (BSG) noted: “If there was concern that the Covid-19 pandemic would somehow cause citizens around the world to lose sight of the urgency of the climate change crisis and the need for environmental action in general, that worry can be put to rest.”

Greening of the home This shift is also very evident in how people are choosing to live, in a move dubbed the ‘greening of the home.’ Nigel Beck, Head of Sustainable Finance and ESG advisory at RMB, says that real estate developers “must keep pace with tenants’ green demands for energy and water efficiency, with respect to both existing and new leases.” Van Embden, however, feels that water-wise and energy efficient fittings are now the standard for new developments, and there is a responsibility to do more to reduce our carbon footprint. With Blok recently adding a solar PV power for common areas in its latest Sea Point-based development, ONE26 ON M, he believes that those developers that will differentiate themselves in the future are those going above and beyond in their designs. He also believes that the green theme is extending beyond the purely functional, into the realm of aesthetic. “For ONE26 ON M we’ve also looked to the natural resources within our immediate environment as inspiration, and paid

homage to these through the addition of green living spaces in the design,” says Van Embden. This is in line with acclaimed Danish architect Bjarke Ingels’ ‘hedonistic sustainability philosophy’, which talks about the integration of sustainability into our cities, while creating pleasurable environments for people. Ingels eschews the view that sustainability has to involve a less desirable living space or compromising one’s lifestyle, and instead views it as a design challenge that seeks to improve the living space, while being better for the environment. “The only way you can make sustainability win is if you make it more desirable than the alternative,” says Ingels. “The Covid-19 pandemic has reinvigorated the need for wellness in all aspects of our lives. We want to live better; we want to be healthier. We are increasingly understanding that there is a symbiotic relationship between ourselves and our natural environment, and that in order for us to thrive, our environment needs to thrive, too,” says Van Embden.

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BATHROOMS

Bathroom

ideas 2022

Break the rules, planned ‘imperfection’, combos of glass, metal or pebbles, wallpaper, industrial style, mirrors everywhere and open bedroom & bathroom walk-throughs are all part of an eclectic array of new styles for 2022. Italtile 60

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BATHROOMS

Mirrors, mirrors everywhere These concepts also help to expand spaces and stretch the dimensions.

Glass, natural stone pebbles and metal accents Black or dark grey metals paired with golden brass and pebbles can create an amazing combination with natural wood, engineering or artificial wood, glass, quartz, and concrete elements and surfaces.

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BATHROOMS

Glass partitions integrated with the bedroom The idea is to simulate the feel of more space and freedom. These include (see-through) glass walls and glass sliding doors. For the shy, a subtle curtain can be added, but don’t block the fresh view, please! Okay, maybe not for the throne.

Wallpaper and panelling Try a 3-D printed wallpaper or panel to add class to the space. Modern wallpaper is durable and helps to balance that ‘stuffy old bathroom’ with colour, different textures and patterns. Of all the options, this is the most DIY-suited for those on a budget and can help to turn your bathroom into a work of art.

Break the rules Not all bathrooms need to be Nordic perfection, right? Try some accessories to break the rules in a non-permanent way. These include small storage solutions, like baskets, totes, and wood boxes to create a real-life look and soften bathroom designs. Folded towels on a shelf under the sink or rolled bathrobes in a wicker basket make a modern bathroom design appear informal, inviting, and cozy. Imperfection at its best!

Break the rules again with houseplants Indoor plants not only look beautiful, but they offer eco-friendly and cheap decorations for modern bathrooms. Houseplants generally thrive in the moist bathroom air, and nothing does it better than green decor accessories and living art in a stylish bathroom.

SA succulents are maintenance-free, ideal and Lekker Local – Ed. 62

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DIY: FURNITURE

Spray painting wood furniture Do you have some worn wood furniture in need of a makeover? You can easily update pieces of furniture inexpensively with spray paint. Everyone has outdated pieces of furniture floating around in their homes; they’re well-made or they may have sentimental value, but their colour or finish is outdated. Updating these pieces of wood furniture with paint is inexpensive and a very satisfying process. Pixabay, AirCraft and GAV Diggers DIY with GAV and AirCraft

How to prep and spray paint wood The process outlined below for prepping, priming, and painting wood furniture is simple, straightforward and will be problemfree, given that each step is done thoroughly and completely. Your reward will be a durable, beautiful piece of wood furniture.

Prep for painting Prepare a suitable worksite. Prepping, priming, and painting outdoors will allow for better ventilation, but if you’re at the mercy of the weather and other factors, inside a garage is the next best option. Cover the floor and any nearby items to keep them dust-free. It’s also important to have proper lighting when painting in an enclosed space. The first step involves the most important process: cleaning, vacuuming, and sanding. First, remove any loose finish from the piece by scraping and sanding areas where existing finish is flaking or peeling off. Then sand the entire piece of furniture lightly so that the new primer can adhere. Use a shop vac with brush attachment to vacuum up dust. Then remove any residual dust with a dampened microfibre rag.

Using a professional sprayer If you want a truly professional-looking finish, use a professional sprayer. There are two main types of pro sprayers: HVLP and airless. Fix this seat easy-peasy.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

DIY: FURNITURE

Spray painting wood furniture

HVLP sprayers

1. Aerosol spray paint is readily available in a wide colour range and is a small investment for a good result. Or use a spray gun if you have one. If not, there is a huge range of affordable spray guns and accessories from AirCraft and GAV. 2. Once your work area and furniture are prepped, spray the piece with the bonding primer. Start by flipping the furniture on its top and spray the bottom first. 3. Start pressing the nozzle a few centimetres before you are over the piece, then make long, continuous passes releasing a few inches after you pass the piece. Starting and stopping in the middle of the furniture may lead to lap marks and drips. Overlap each pass 30-50%. 4. Once the primer is dry, lightly sand only if the furniture is rough, otherwise start the enameling process. The same general idea applies, long, continuous passes for even coverage. For a great finish apply at least two coats.

HVLP (high volume, low pressure) uses a turbine to create air pressure. The paint goes into a cup gun and air blows by, picking up paint and sending it out the nozzle. HVLP sprayers are delicate, controlled machines that take a bit of practice to master.

Airless sprayers Airless sprayers are the other option. Using no air, they pressurise the paint, sending it through a hose and tip specifically made to atomise the coating. Airless sprayers can apply more paint than HVLP sprayers and in a wider area. With either sprayer, work bottom to top, with long continuous passes overlapping 30-50% each pass. You cannot beat the finish with pro sprayers, but they do come with a few downsides, namely the initial price and cleaning. They are, however, a good investment – both AirCraft and Gav have entry-level pro sprayers.

Which primer works best Primer choice is important. If you choose the wrong one, your painted finish may chip, scratch, and peel. Primer can be applied with an off-the-shelf aerosol, or with a sprayer. Canned off-the-shelf primer yields a great finish but be sure to choose one labeled ‘bonding’ or ‘adhesion’ so that the primer binds to the wood. Or look for a similar bonding or adhesion primer in a litre-sized container and use an HVLP or airless sprayer to apply. Do a scratch test. Apply primer to a small area and allow it to dry overnight. Attempt to scratch it off with your fingernail the next day. If nothing comes off, you have adhesion. If it can easily be scratched off, you need to find another primer.

Best spray paint for furniture The best furniture spray paint is enamel. A harddrying paint made for furniture, trim and cabinets, is a bit less forgiving but much more beautiful, durable, and long-lasting than a satin finish latex wall paint. Materials and tools needed • Drop cloth • Paint scraper • Electric random orbital sander • 180 grit sandpaper • Shop vac with brush attachment • Microfiber cloth • Optional: paint sprayer • Primer • Enamel paint

Top tip: AirCraft and GAV products are available from leading outlets. Trade queries to Vermont Sales.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

KITCHENS

All clean

in the 'hood'? Whether you call it a cooker hood, or an extractor fan, this appliance is an integral part of any kitchen. We spoke to the experts. Miele

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

Cooker hoods are an important appliance; they help rid the space of cooking odours and vapours made from a mixture of grease and moisture. It does this by neutralising any smells, filtering out any fat molecules in the air, and nullifying the large majority of steam caused when cooking.

Miele South Africa’s Jon Molyneaux says: “Cooker hoods are an incredibly practical appliance that help make your kitchen environment a more pleasant one. However, it also plays a big part in the aesthetics of this room’s design, often standing as a stylish centrepiece and making a visual statement.”

KITCHENS

Three main tasks All cooker hoods perform three important tasks in any kitchen: 1. Grease removal: Fats and oils are an important element of cooking in general; they are the transporter of flavours, and they act as heat conductors. The downside of fats and oils is that they often spit and sizzle, and in doing so, they release fat molecules into the air. If these molecules are not filtered, they end up settling and forming a sticky, greasy, unhygienic film on everything in the room. Cooker hoods are able to remove grease from the air with the help of grease filters and they can be quickly and easily cleaned in the dishwasher. Look for products that are effective at reducing grease buildup in the kitchen.

2. Moisture removal: Water is another essential cooking ingredient, and when it gets heated to above 100°C, it becomes steam that rises. Once steam saturation is reached in the air, the excess steam settles on walls and windows as condensation, which can discolour the walls and mark the windows. Excess moisture in the room also encourages the formation of mould and it is detrimental to your overall wellbeing. Extraction cooker hoods are great at reducing moisture in the air.

3. Odour removal: Any kind of cooking will produce odours, and however appetising they may smell whilst you are cooking, any lingering odours can be unpleasant, especially if they move through to your home’s living areas. Since they are made up of various molecules, they can also end up clinging to various soft furnishings and textiles. Recirculating cooker hoods can neutralise these odours using charcoal filtration systems.

“Aside from the grease filters, our cooker hoods also boast active charcoal filters that not only capture the odours produced whilst cooking, but neutralises them as well, ensuring that any lingering odours are kept to a minimum”, says Molyneaux.

Different types of cooker hoods Downdraught cooker hoods A downdraught extractor is integrated into your kitchen countertop. It provides a very stylish form of extraction, as it is effective when required and almost completely hidden when not in use. Building a downdraught extractor into a worktop frees up space in the kitchen, and room heights and other obstructions will no longer be an issue. You can opt for a downdraught extractor that is installed behind the hob, which at the touch of a button, rises from the countertop and is activated to extract cooking vapours and odours. When the extractor is no longer needed, it simply disappears into the worktop once again. Alternatively, you can opt for a hob with a built-in downdraught extractor, such as Miele’s TwoInOne hob, for example, which combines induction technology and an integrated downdraught extractor into one unit.

When the extractor is no longer needed, it simply disappears into the worktop once again. Built-under cooker extractor hood.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

KITCHENS

Built-in cooker hoods Great for small kitchens, integrated cooker hoods make optimal use of the space. They are installed underneath overhead cabinetry, which creates more storage space. Choose from four different built-in cooker hoods: 1. Slimline cooker hoods: A highlight for minimalists. Slimline hoods can be fitted so that they are invisible once installed. All that you see when they are working is a narrow stainless-steel trim beneath the wall unit. The perfect fit for a minimalistic kitchen. The powerful, slim, pull-out canopy extracts kitchen vapours effectively from the kitchen. And there is still space in the wall unit for a spice rack. 2. Built-under cooker hoods: If you do not want to lose any storage space in your wall unit, a cooker hood that can be built-under, for example, from Miele offers the best solution. These compact

Ceiling cooker hoods A ceiling cooker hood is installed to be flush with the ceiling above the hob. This type of cooker hood makes for an interesting bit of kitchen design, as it can go a long way to preserving the sense of space in your kitchen. “Because they’re installed to be flush with the ceiling, you have an appliance that’s really not intrusive at all to the kitchen design. It’s not sticking out of the wall, it’s not drawing your eye, it’s just up on the ceiling and out of the way visually,” says Molyneaux.

high-performance cooker hoods are easy to install either below a wall unit or against a wall as a stand-alone wall-mounted unit. Particularly ideal for smaller kitchens. 3. Extractor unit: Individual kitchen designs – with an eye-catching chimney for example – can be accomplished with integrated cooker hoods. This type of extractor offers unlimited planning and design freedom. Ideal for made-to-

Wall and island cooker hoods As their name implies, wall cooker hoods are mounted directly on the wall behind your hob, and island cooker hoods are installed to hang over hobs installed within the kitchen island. Both can be a stunning focal point of the kitchen: • Island cooker hoods: Are you planning a lavish cooking island? Then the crowning glory for your kitchen should be an island cooker hood from Miele. • Wall-mounted cooker hoods: Turn your cooking area into an eye-catcher with a wall mounted cooker hood fitted in

measure designer canopies in your kitchen. Let your imagination inspire you. 4. Slot-in cooker hoods: If you do not want to see the cooker hood at all, a slot-in hood is the one for you. The cooker hood canopy, fitted with a kitchen furniture panel, disappears discreetly into a row of wall units. Invisible when shut, this hood blends perfectly into the background and is the ideal hood for a discreet kitchen design.

between two wall units, or on its own to make a bold statement. The ergonomic wall hoods offer plenty of space for cooking thanks to the inclined or vertical front.

Extraction versus recirculation There are three options for effective kitchen air filtration: • Extraction – draw in the cooking vapours, filter out the grease particles, and then the filtered air, along with any excess moisture and cooking odours, is directed outside via extraction ducting. • Extraction with an external motor – this is combined with an external motor that can be installed on an outside wall, roof, or in a ceiling to reduce the noise in the kitchen to a minimum. • Recirculation – this draws in vapours, and passes them through various layers of filtration to remove the grease and odours, before returning the clean air to the room. Thanks to Jon Molyneaux the marketing head of Miele SA for this useful information. We hope our readers find it useful, too.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

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BRICKS & CONCRETE

Envirolite concrete bricks become a reality South Africa’s first community polystyrene brick-making factory, using recycled polystyrene, recently opened its doors in Atlantis outside of Cape Town. The Khaya Khanya Atlantis Lightweight Concrete Factory (www.khayakhanya.co.za ) is the first franchise of many that are envisaged in municipalities around South Africa over the next five years. The factory is expected to process and recycle a minimum of 25 tons of polystyrene a month and will help to grow its recycling rate by at least 5% within the first year. Polyco According to Adri Spangenberg, the Polystyrene Executive at Polyco, an NGO formed by a group of South Africa’s responsible polyolefin plastic-packaging converters, this has been a dream come true for the polystyrene industry. This after seven years of planning, discussions with key role-players and efforts to get the necessary funding approved.

Envirolite uses combination of recycled polystyrene and special cement aggregate Developed and patented by Hilton Cowie, the Envirolite concrete bricks and screeds are manufactured using a combination of recycled polystyrene and a special cement aggregate. These bricks are being used to build everything, ranging from RDP houses, clinics and shopping malls to commercial buildings and designer homes. An 80m2 RDP house, for example, contains a minimum of 550kg of polystyrene.

Industry association, the Polystyrene Association of SA, appointed Caban Investments Limited to develop a detailed business plan and sales strategy for Khaya Khanye and also to assist with raising the capital required for the first factory. Caban Investments also helped to identify the local entrepreneurs who will be driving this project. Caban’s subsequent business model sees each factory being a franchise modelled on sound business principles. The structure sees the entrepreneur, the community, investors and the franchisors as stakeholders in the project. Cindy Orange (neé Adams) has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Khaya Khanya Atlantis, supported by her father and local pastor, Dr Michael Adams (Project Manager), brother John Adams (Chief Operating Officer) and sister Liesle Humbles (Office Administrator).

Envirolite and Caban are the franchisors and remain involved in mentoring the entrepreneurs in all aspects of business development and technical support.

Editors note: According to the Polystyrene Association of SA, whilst initially lightweight concrete bricks may cost roughly the same as traditional cement bricks, developers are able to enjoy significant savings in that they weigh less than half of a conventional brick (lower transport costs and CO2 emissions), have outstanding SABS fire ratings and an Agrėment Certification, and offers excellent insulation against sound and temperature. The blocks are lighter than conventional bricks and the building process is much quicker.

“Hilton proved that his bricks are waterproof, fireproof and offer excellent insulation against cold, heat and sound. The building process is easier, faster and cheaper, plus it uses the waste removed from the community in a positive way that offers long-term benefits,” explains Spangenberg. “The tremendous growth experienced in the demand for these bricks made us realise that we could roll out factories on a large scale by establishing polystyrene recycling hubs in impoverished communities where the waste crisis, housing backlogs and unemployment figures are at its worst.” 70

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

From left, Cindy Orange, Adri Spangenberg , Hilton Cowie, Tim Scholtz, Dr Michael Adams and Dave Romero.

Lightweight concrete bricks Lightweight Lightweight concrete concrete bricks bricks made with with recycled polystyrene

made made with with with with recycled recycled polystyrene polystyrene 100 sqm house = 500 kg of polystyrene beads 100 100sqm sqmhouse house==500 500kg kgof ofpolystyrene polystyrenebeads beads

Lightweight concrete bricks Lightweight Lightweightconcrete concretebricks bricks All Polystyrene is 100 % recyclable in South Africa All 100 recyclable AllPolystyrene Polystyrene 100% %Cindy.Orange@khayakhanya.co.za recyclablein inSouth SouthAfrica Africa Cindy Orange isisEmail: www.khayakhanya.co.za Email: Email: Cindy.Orange@khayakhanya.co.za Cindy.Orange@khayakhanya.co.za Cindy CindyOrange Orange Office: (021) 285-0301/2 www.khayakhanya.co.za Office: Office: (021) (021)285-0301/2 285-0301/2 www.khayakhanya.co.za

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COATINGS & PAINT

Summer’s colours

for the zest of sunny days As we step into summer, there is buzzing anticipation of hot, balmy days and excitement for summer vacations. We asked a paint manufacturer that is a household name in SA to share their latest summer colour palette with us, along with some suggestions as to the best combinations. Plascon

The power of colour does not always lie in specific hues, but rather in how they are used to evoke responses. A mixture of playful and bouncy colours and balanced, cooler neutrals, this new palette strikes the balance between bringing increased energy levels and excitement without overpowering the senses. According to Plascon, their High Frequency concept emulates a refreshing poolside sip of lemonade on a hot day with its vibrant and zesty colours. The energetic colours of the Summer palette will work for both individual and group needs, in any space or place.

The options are:

Plascon Lime Miss (coded Y6-A1-2) is the key colour in this palette. A fresh lime green, this bright and juicy hue is equal parts vitality, growth and new beginnings. It also nods to nature, with South African summers being synonymous with days spent outdoors.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

COATINGS & PAINT

Monet Magic (coded B3-A1-1) is a bright and powerful shade of blue that offers a complementary depth to the brightness of Plascon Lime Miss (coded Y6-A1-2). Send bolts of energy into your home with this bold blue shade.

Pair these bright and vivid colours with French Chartreuse (coded Y5-D2-3), a neutral colour that reinforces the bolder shades by taking on their characteristics. Alternatively, opt for the slightly cooler grey of Plascon Off Shore (coded GR-Y03), another neutral complement to the brighter hues of the palette.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

COATINGS & PAINT

High Frequency palette can be tinted across the range and also in a high-end paint such as Double Velvet Pure.

Sitting playfully between the fresh green and blue shades and the calming neutrals, is Be Mine (coded R2-A2-1) - a pink that is brighter than a pastel without being strident. Bring a lighthearted feel to your space with this fun, flirty colour.

The colours of this new High Frequency palette can be tinted across the range and also in a high-end paint such as Double Velvet Pure. This is an advanced coating with ground-breaking, air-purifying technology that neutralises the harmful effects of formaldehyde emitted from fabrics, engineered woods and furniture in your home. This means that not only will you feel renewed energy from these zingy and reviving colours, but you’ll be breathing an improved quality of air. Check the supplier’s colours out at www.plascon.com

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

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ADVERTORIAL: GRINDING TECH

Choose your finish with the

Superflex Non-woven Abrasive range Non-woven abrasives are a three-dimensional web of fibres with globules of resin and abrasives embedded into the network of fibres. Typically, the fibres are nylon or another synthetic material. The abrasive types can range from silicon carbide to aluminum oxide or ceramic alumina.

Some of the main benefits and advantages of non-woven abrasives is that they are waterproof, rinsible and resilient due to their open-mesh construction. Used wet or dry, non-woven abrasive products enable the user to achieve a consistent, uniform finish, and conformability to irregular surfaces, with minimal material removal, smearing and discoloration of the workpiece. Grinding Techniques, a Tyrolit company, has launched the Superflex range of non-woven products, available in different shapes, sizes and materials dependent on application and whether used by hand or machine. The non-woven hand pads and rolls are mainly used for cleaning and processing surfaces using orbital sanders or handguided grinding. A consistent finish with proven longevity is guaranteed thanks to the abrasive grain that is impregnated into the entire fleece of the product and not only located on the surface. Flexibility is also ensured by the abrasive fabric that adapts perfectly to the geometry of the workpiece surface. Grinding Techniques also offers numerous non-woven products suitable for a 115mm right angle grinder. With Superflex everything you need is available from one source of supply and perfectly matched. With our range of products, you can achieve a mirror finish in only three steps without unwanted burning or discoloration normally caused by overheating. 76

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

To prepare surfaces for polishing, you require a sturdy, high quality product. The Superflex Premium Pre-Polish disc consists of several layers of abrasive fabric ensuring longevity and sturdiness. This allows the disc also to be used for smaller deburring jobs. The Superflex Premium Polish disc is constructed from highly flexible flaps for optimal heat distribution and cool grinding. In doing that the Premium Polish disc avoids undesired discoloration, when used in conjunction with a polishing paste, a perfect mirror finish is achieved on your workpiece. When it comes to removing rust, paint, and varnish with the least possible effort or preparing surfaces for welding, soldering, or anodizing, the Superflex Rough Cleaning

disc constructed from highly porous nylon fibres, and evenly treated with aggressive abrasives, is able to stand up to any challenge. Apart from this, Grinding Techniques also offers an extensive range of Convolute and Unitized Wheels manufactured with the latest technology to provide the desired finish combined with a high tear resistance and exceptional longevity. The main applications for these products are deburring, blending, and finishing of a variety of materials like metals, plastic, and composite materials.

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ENGINEERED TIMBER

Timber construction

on the rise

The application of engineered timber in significant construction projects seems to be on the rise, in the opinion of experts in the green building world, erasing any thoughts that timber is the ‘Cinderella’ material of construction. Gareth Griffiths

Cross laminated timber at the Ridge.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

The use of engineered timber in commercial projects featured at the 2021 Green Building Convention held in Cape Town in November. A project using this technology, the Ridge, was recognised via a 6-star Green Star design award and gained the overall highest rating in this category over the year under review by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). TO BUILD’s editor was at the convention as a media delegate and reports on a remarkable case study on embodied carbon reduction at the Ridge, presented by two leading design professionals. The presentation was entitled The Ridge: Embodied Carbon Reduction with Eco Bricks and South African Timber. Tessa Brunette, an architect and building envelope designer based in Cape Town at Arup, and Sean Mahoney, professional architect and director at Studio MAS, shared an informative joint presentation dealing with the use of timber and also recycled plastic waste in achieving the carbon/energy reduction goals.

ENGINEERED TIMBER

One of the most innovative design features of the Ridge is its use of crosslaminated timber (CLT) as part of the building’s exterior facade and interior workspaces on Levels 2 and 3 of the building. This also provides a striking architectural feature, in addition to providing substantial environmental benefits in the build and also in operation. The use of timber as a natural material in place of aluminium, glass, brick and concrete in half of each façade ‘pleat’ has greatly reduced the Ridge’s carbon and energy footprint. Structurally graded and FSC-certified engineered timber as used in the production of the CLT cladding is sourced from sustainable plantations, which are largely located within the Western Cape. In addition to the material being a net sequestrator of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, timber sourced within the province also minimises the transport carbon and energy considerations. The engineers, Arup, calculated that 354 Mt of CO2 were saved by using timber on this project in lieu of conventional high embodied energy and carbon materials. In effect, the usage of a natural material itself enters its lifecycle on the project with a negative embodied carbon content. Hence the Ridge features a double carbon saving by adopting CLT timber façade construction. This makes construction using CLT well worth promoting in an age of climate change. “First, by choosing CLT, GHG (as COe) emissions from concrete, steel and aluminum are avoided, all of which have high carbon footprints. And second, the CLT stores carbon dioxide that was absorbed when the tree was growing, and locks it away for as long as that building stands,” argues Brunette and Mahoney. “From a functional perspective, the use of timber also augments the passive design aspect of the building, minimising the usage of HVAC in favour of natural ventilation. This is an ongoing benefit,

Tessa Brunette and Sean Mahoney on the platform at the Green Building Convention.

The west-facing ‘pleated’ façade at the Ridge - each CLT aspect is covered by a rainscreen consisting of a layer of Accoya, a type of board that is made from acetylated SA pine cuts, which have a long service life and are guaranteed by the supplier. Brunette says that they can also be replaced separately, leaving the building still enclosed by the CLT panels so that occupation is not disrupted. which should reduce energy consumption at the Ridge on an annual basis,” they add. In addition, Mike Munnik (Agama Energy) the green building accredited professional on the project, was named the Established Green Star for 2021, also collecting the award for the Highest Rated Building in 2021 for the Ridge building at the V&A Waterfront. Jamey Smily, of XLAM, manufacturers of both cross-laminated timber and glulam in Cape Town, says the new SABS standard for cross-laminated timber means it is now recognised as a standard building material in South Africa.

“We have a number of projects on the go, both residential and commercial. It is taking off very well” he said. Smily’s company supplied 960m2 of CLT panels, which were then prefabricated and incorporated with aluminium and glass window units for the pleated façade at the Ridge. The use of timber in construction has been boosted by these clear benefits on a commercial project. Indeed, the trend seems to be catching on, with engineered timber building expert Shaun Forster being involved in the startup of a mass timber and carpentry school in the Elgin Valley. volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

Understanding Hazard Classes According to NRCS VC 9092, The Compulsory Specification for Preservative Treated Timber, any preservative treated timber product claiming to be preservative treated must be branded as specified in the relevant SANS product standards. An important part of the brand is the Hazard Class, which indicates the service conditions to which the product is exposed and the level of treatment or level of protection that must be applied to the wood. The Hazard Classes have been defined as follows: Hazard Class

Exposure

Service condition

Inside above ground

Protected from wetting, no leaching.

Borers and termites

Framing, flooring, furniture, interior joinery, roof trusses

Outside above ground

Periodic moderate wetting and leaching

Moderate decay, borers and termites

Weatherboards, facias, framing, above ground components of fencing, playgrounds, pergolas, landscaping timber

Normal in-ground wetting and leaching, non-critical applications

Severe decay, borers and termites

Fence poles/posts, landscaping timbers, playground structures, building poles, carports, pergolas, guardrail posts, agricultural poles not used under frequent irrigation and in nutrient rich soils

Outside inground with or in fresh water

Extreme wetting and leaching, critical application

Very severe decay, borers and termites

Piling, house stumps, transmission and telephone poles, cooling towers, building poles, retaining walls, livestock pens, agricultural poles under irrigation and in highly nutrient soils, e.g. eucalyptus vineyard poles

Marine waters

Prolonged immersion in sea water

Decay and marine wood borers

Marine piles, jetty cross bracing, jetty landing steps, slipways, boat hulls

Outside inground

Hazard

Example uses

Generally, the higher the Hazard Class, the greater the penetration and retention of the Preservative specified in the SANS Standards. For more information on preservative treated timber, contact SAWPA at 011 974 1061 or admin@sawpa.co.za, or visit our website at www.sawpa.co.za

PRESERVING CONFIDENCE IN TIMBER Tel: 011 974 1061 Email: admin@sawpa.co.za www.sawpa.co.za

FLOORS

Look down –

it’s all in the floor

You walk into a home or an office. What is the first thing you notice? According to experts, a significant percentage of visitors to a building for the first time will look at the floor. Unless, of course, Robert de Niro is in the room! Gareth Griffiths

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

FLOORS

What’s underneath your feet easily becomes the most important part of any interior. Experts go on to share their advice as to choosing the most appropriate floor for a project – office or home. Whatever you put on the floor, various colours, patterns and styles are available across all materials. Requirements like coverage, traffic, maintenance and durability need to be kept in mind – not only aesthetic considerations.

Three common types The wood floor A real classic. A wood floor provides durability and maintenance, along with warmth and style. It is a product for all seasons and ages beautifully with the building, as long as it’s looked after. So what factors should we consider when considering a wooden floor? 1. Wood type Wood is sourced naturally – hopefully sustainably – then cut and made into flooring. Multiple colours are available with differing grains and characteristics. In South Africa, wood harvested from the humble pine tree is ubiquitous. But there are more exotic (and expensive) options such as light, plain maple wood, ash and beech are also light, but with warmth and tone variation, even chestnut. Walnut is wonderfully dark and rich, but, arguably the most popular and varied wood for the floor internationally is oak. Don’t forget the legacy materials. Scour the second hand pages and stores to find some genuine old fashioned hard wood recycled flooring.

2. Engineered timber vs. solid timber floors Solid wood is one block of hardwood – top to bottom, while engineered wood is a composite of a more stable and moistureresistant core board with a thin veneer of hardwood on its surface. 3. The finish: to oil or to lacquer Natural oil penetrates the wood and leaves a naturally matte surface, which ages and evolves with time into an interesting patina. Lacquer, which is available in a range of colours, gloss, silk or matte, impart resilience to aging, a hard wearing surface and resistance to damage and staining.

come in large rolls that run from one end of the room to the other. With fewer joins, vast and ranging designs can be specified like Superior 1020 by Vorwerk. With less waste, however, projects that use carpet tiles also benefit from a reduction in maintenance costs – one spillage means replacing one tile, not the whole room. While instead of a pattern-matching nightmare, the tiles can even become part of the design, as with the Fluid& carpet tiles by modulyss.

Giving a gentle, luxurious feel, there is nothing to replace a new carpet. Note, however, that you need to consider the place it will be used: thick, soft and/or luxurious types are not durable and highly unsuitable to high-traffic contract projects. Choose from:

2. Type of finish: tufted, knotted, woven carpet, synthetic fibre or natural? Pull a thread through its backing before shearing to form exposed tufts and you have a tufted carpet. On the other hand, knotted carpets cut the thread after making small knots. This allows for a more durable finish. Note, however, that woven carpets keep their plush appearance for longer, and this makes them more suitable for both high-traffic and high-end luxury projects.

1. Wall-to-wall carpet or tiles? As the standard for most smaller residential projects, wall-to-wall carpets

Synthetic or natural fibres… speak to your local supplier to see a wide range of options.

Carpeted floors

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FLOORS

Ceramic flooring Finally, if you are looking for fantastic natural waterproof and thermal protection, go no further than ceramic tiles. A highly strong and durable option, ceramic tiles come in a myriad of shapes, sizes and patterns. Consider these options in tiles: 1. Individual tile design: colours, plain or patterned Bold, maximalist palettes and intricate patterns, like the Antichi Decori series by Ceramica Francesco De Maio, are a hot trend right now. However, while a striking accent colour might perfectly complement the bathroom accessories, ceramic tiles are likely to remain for longer than the soap dispenser, so a more neutral design scheme like Ultrawhite from Cotto d’Este could prove more stylishly durable in the long term. 2. The rest of the design: shape, size and grout vs the size of the tile Very popular at present, larger tiles mean 84

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fewer grout lines, which brings the illusion of more space. Use these if you are flooring a small space or if you want to highlight the ceramic texture in large spaces. But there are often patterns to be created using smaller tiles – even mosaics – look at smaller and more geometric options. South Africa is fortunate to be blessed with a large number of tile suppliers, who regularly update their ranges based on the best in the world.

Synthetic imitator flooring Without demeaning this option, these types may have had their day. They can look amazing, but have the disadvantage of compromising durability for beauty. Vinyl

flooring, however, gives the convincing performance of wood, carpet or ceramic, while allowing little wear and remaining completely waterproof – even underneath standing water. Of course, they are also kind to your bare feet, especially in the bathroom in winter.

URETEK Geo-Systems (SA) (Pty) Ltd specializes in industrial, commercial and residential applications as well as the rehabilitation of roads and highways through advanced technology characterized by superior chemistry, inventive technique, and extensive experience. URETEK Deep Injection patented technology employs high density expanding structural polymers to stabilize soils at depth and increase their bearing capacity. Once the soils at depth are addressed, then the foundations, Floor slabs or road pavements are realigned or raised as needed. Most importantly, URETEK Slab Lifting Method returns your road pavement systems and concrete floor slabs to their original design with a stronger sub-base and improved soil structure. Regardless of whether your problem is routine or complex, URETEK can draw from extensive resources to develop the best solutions for your needs. URETEK loves a challenge and an opportunity to be innovative.

The flexible nature of the application of the Uretek technologies enable us to reach confined spaces without disturbing existing structures

For more information about what makes Uretek the best choice contact Info@uretek.co.za | 011 238 7154 | www.uretek.co.za

INSULATION

Getting insulation done the right way A raft of building regulations have been implemented in South Africa aimed at ensuring the performance of materials and systems used to achieve the reduction of the energy/carbon footprint of buildings, and helping to attain global greenhouse gas emission targets to which SA is a signatory. Thermguard When it comes to achieving energy efficiency (and hence reducing emissions) to meet the requirements, there is no question as to the importance of passive climate control measures as a once-off investment for a new build, or a retrofit done on demand to get immediate and effective energy saving and interior climate comfort for building occupants. “Materials suppliers who engage in ‘greenwashing’ have long been a concern in the built environment industry, leading to the question: Who do we trust,” asks Eric Quarmby, the CEO of Thermguard Cellulose Fibre Insulation (www.thermguard.co.za).

Here are some typical questions the architect or engineer looking for information should ask about insulation: 1. Does the product and its installation contribute to a building’s qualification for a high level Energy Performance Certificate? Does the installer even know about this? 2. Does the product add virtually nothing to the embedded carbon/energy footprint of the building as built and does its manufacturing process use as little water as possible in the factory? 3. Does the product offer compliance with the requirements of SANS10400-XA; and the 2021/2022 version of this national standard? 4. In cases of a retrofit, does the installer know what R-value is required under the building regulations and does that person have a solution to meet it? 5. Does the contractor install what the design calls for and is the installation neat and tidy without any spots left bare, allowing the escape or entry of heat? 6. Circular economy: Is the material being considered based on sustainable sources and does it support recycling during manufacture and at its end of life?

“The above boxes all ticked will enable the professional to assess who is greenwashing and who is genuinely able to meet both climate and occupant comfort goals at the same time. At Thermguard we know about that and we comply,” concludes Quarmby.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

n e e gr

Do it right Do it Get it DONE

ROOFING

Keeping your home cool

this summer with paint If homeowners embrace low-tech cooling initiatives such as cool coatings, there is no need to battle high electricity bills from air conditioners and fans this summer, advise the specialists. SANEDI Cool coatings involve the painting of a heat-reflective membrane onto the roof, passively cooling the building with the absence of electrical technology, thus saving electricity. “The coating reflects heat and mitigates the need for fans or air-conditioners, making living conditions more comfortable. We have started applying this coating to roads and paving too, and have seen the incredible impact this can make in cooling down an urban area,” says Denise Lundall, Project Officer Energy Efficiency Cool Surface at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI). However, there are many cool coatings on the market that can be confusing for consumers. There are also additional elements that need to be considered when coating your roof. SANEDI (www.sanedi.org.za) encourages consumers to consider three important tips when pursuing a cool roof.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

ROOFING

Ingredients What makes a coating heat- and light-reflective is the presence of titanium dioxide (TiO2). Many commercially available roof paints claim to have cooling properties and charge a premium, but are in fact only a little better than regular roof paints. The coating needs to have enough titanium dioxide to reach a Solar Reflective Index (SRI) level of 0.75 – or 75% solar reflectance. Consumers must check the SRI of their coatings, and not accept anything below 65%, and look at a higher percentage if it is available.

Colour While darker greys and browns are becoming increasingly fashionable and favoured by consumers, the colour of your roof paint greatly impacts its SRI. White, light, and pastel colours are most effective at cooling your home. Darker colours may look nice, but they absorb heat and are sure to get you sweating. Consider using your dark paint for gutters and pipes, but keep your actual roof colour as light as possible.

Surface preparation Before you get painting, you must consider the material you are coating as well as its condition. For example, a corrugated iron roof requires different preparation to a tiled roof and may have rust that must be treated. Likewise, you must repair any roof leaks or broken tiles before getting started. Then, remember to prime your surface with the appropriate primer before applying your cool coating.

SANEDI cool roofing intervention at the SANDF

Cool coatings are an accessible, simple, and relatively cost-effective way to keep your home or office cool and help reduce energy consumption. Climate change is a very real threat, and South Africa contributes a disproportionate amount of greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere. Something as simple as a cool-coated roof can help alleviate a huge amount of heat while also saving energy. SANEDI is underway with testing and standardising ratings for labelling cool coatings to ensure that a regulated cool-coating product is available to consumers. The membrane offers added benefits beyond cooling, including longevity, ease of maintenance, being dust- and abrasion-resistant, and fire retardant.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

ADVERTORIAL: MITEK INDUSTRIES

Ultra-Span

helps deliver new healthcare facilities across SA When you’re building hospitals and healthcare facilities, just as for any other project, there’s a need to balance safety, ease of construction, longevity and of course, costs.

Here in South Africa, the construction industry has found a real appetite for MiTek’s Ultra-Span system as it meets a lot of the requirements demanded by government regulations, designers and healthcare providers alike. Ideal for spans of 6 metres and up to 20 metres or more, Ultra-Span is a prefabricated, light gauge steel roof truss system. It’s lightweight, compact, easy to transport, handle and install, and is a good solution for healthcare facilities where non-combustibility is a vital consideration. While timber may have been used in the past, the Ultra-Span system offers several benefits that make it a much better choice all round. As well as being fireproof, the system is more durable, making it a good long-term investment. Its galvanised coating means it’s resistant to fungus and mould, and is fully vermin-proof – making it the more hygienic option. Not only is the system lightweight and easy to erect on site – once installed, it needs minimal maintenance, helping to keep costs down once the site is up and running.

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ADVERTORIAL: MITEK INDUSTRIES

When offsite meets onsite Like other products in MiTek’s range, Ultra-Span is constructed off-site, meaning that when it arrives at the client’s site, it is already cut to size and ready to install. If skilled labour is in short supply, which is often inevitably the case in the more remote locations, we provide a trainer who can work with the local workforce to train them in how to safely and quickly erect the trusses. Even when workers are unfamiliar with the system, it’s still quick and easy to set up. The lightweight nature of the construction

means the trusses are easy to handle, even for novices, and the resulting rapid assembly means the construction team can soon move on to the next stage of the build.

A number of hospitals across SA have already specified and installed Ultra-Span, including Mediclinic Vergelegen in Somerset West, Mediclinic Stellenbosch & Paarl in the Western Cape, and Helderberg in Cape Town.

While the Ultra-Span system clearly offers benefits in costs, versatility, ease of handling, speed of assembly, longevity, safety and hygiene, these aren’t the only factors in its favour. Architects like to specify the material as it’s visually appealing, making the buildings more aesthetically pleasing for certain projects’ requirements.

Of course, Ultra-Span isn’t just a great solution for hospitals – it has found applications across a wide building range, from affordable housing units, factories and warehouses, to universities and offices. But there’s no doubt it’s delivering for the healthcare sector in SA, for all the right reasons.

011 237 8700 www.mitek.co.za

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

ROOFING

Treasure your roof

Much more than closing the building envelope, the roof is also that aspect of the building that you rely on to protect occupants and their assets from wind, sun and rain. Yet sometimes it gets taken for granted. With the moves to renewable energy and off-the-grid living, the roof is also that highest point on a property and is therefore the natural base for mounting PV panels. SAFAL Steel We look at some great advice offered by local manufacturer, Safal Steel, on what to watch out for when building, maintaining or cleaning a steel roof and when fitting or maintaining solar panel arrays. Apart from failure of the main loadbearing structures of a building leading to possible disaster, there are few elements of a building that have the potential to fail with serious consequences to the pocket of the owner and their assets. The roof, however, is simply one of these components of a building that we cannot enjoy indoor life without.

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Corrosion and its minimisation Corrosion of the steel roofing material can begin with pitting and progress to growing holes through which water can leak, damaging your assets inside. In addition, failure of fastening systems due to corrosion can lead to separation of roof sheets during high wind with similarly undesirable consequences. Safal products are made using a unique 55% aluminium/zinc coating technology under licence from BIEC International Inc., one of the significant global players

in coated steel technology. Using this substrate, Safal Steel product ranges, including Zincal®, Colorplus® and Optima® possess unique properties that limit the effects of corrosion and subsequent degradation. “It is important to understand the do’s and don't s of doing work on the steel roof,” says Sinethemba Gqibitole, Marketing Officer for Safal Steel.

ROOFING

“This means understanding how corrosion works on the roof and how the unique formulation of Zincal® and its derivatives can offer extended life in service, which may be four times longer than conventional galvanised steel.” For an Al/Zn technology roof, aluminium and zinc (including a small amount of silicon) form what is effectively a sacrificial coating over the steel substrate, which means that the typical action of galvanic corrosion, attacks the zinc component first, then the aluminium starts to oxidise into a stable layer, which gives the roof an incredibly long service life before the steel itself starts to corrode. The steel core imparts the classic strength and formability to a steel roof but is susceptible to oxidation (red rust).

Matching of fastener type with the Al/Zn roofing The galvanic potential between the roof substrate and fastener should be kept in mind. The fastener should be sufficiently coated, preventing the material around the hole for the fastener in the roof sheet from being the first to corrode. Hence, fasteners of Class 3 and 4 are recommended to ensure the fastener has a lifespan equal or greater than the prime sheeting or cladding In addition, low carbon EPDM washers or black-carbon-free washers must be used. Under no circumstances use cheap steel or stainless steel fasteners! These will cause reverse galvanic corrosion and leave the roof sheet with an ugly rust hole which will give away in the wind.

Fitting of PV panels Does the roof have the strength to support the solar panel in question? The load caused by a PV array on a roof is expressed per unit of area and hence it follows that PV panels in a highly tilted angle towards the vertical will exert more compressive weight on the roof material below. Engineering studies show that a high roof temperature for PV panels is undesirable, impacting the roof sheeting lifespan and Roof R Values. Therefore these recommendations apply:

Correct PV installation at House Cohen, Noordhoek, installed on a cool roof consisting of Colorplus®.

1. Install high solar reflectance roof sheeting to reflect the inbound infrared radiation before it gets absorbed. 2. Elevate the solar array at least 10 cm off the surface of the roof using an approved suspension system. This will permit the free movement of cooling air and also allow for evaporative drying of any water on the surface of the roof more quickly. 3. Consider insulating the back plate of each PV panel to prevent the panel cooling too quickly and also from warming up to a point where its optimum efficiency is impaired. Swarf is the product of cutting or grinding in situ and causes metal filings from the material being cut to be deposited onto the surface of the roof. Here they can embed in the paint surface causing rust marks and ultimately corrosion of the alloy substrate, followed by the steel core. At the end of each day ensure that fasteners, rivets, debris, swarf and all offcuts are removed from the roof surface including checking in the troughs, valleys, etc. Dirt build-up, including salt deposits, spoil the appearance of the roof and this or the iron swarf can lead to the early failure of the material.

This is aggravated by accelerated drip corrosion where water runoff collects and pools in undrained spaces on the roof.

Access control An effective solar installation should include adequate gang planking so operators do not have to walk directly on the metal surface of the roof, avoiding scratching or deforming of its surface.

Choose the right roofing material As the only African-licenced manufacturer of the patented Al/Zn technology based on the continent, Safal Steel offers a range of coated unpainted and pre-painted options in various TCT ranges and two mechanical strength standards - G550 and G275. There are many colours available in the Colorplus® range, as well as different textures. Downstream of manufacture, various South African rollformers offer formed roofing panels in various profiles and interlocking options. “Consult our website or give our technical team a call for some expert advice” concludes Gqibitole. Further information is available in the Safal Steel Technical Brochure downloadable off the Safal website www.safalsteel.com

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

PAINT

Oil-based enamel paint a thing of the past… why? A major South African manufacturer of decorative and industrial coatings shares its thoughts with us on why solvent based paints are out and water based paints are in. Plascon It used to be that solvent-based paints were the preferred choice in coatings, favoured for their perceived durability, especially in enamel paints. But these solvents can be demanding in terms of application, cleaning and disposal, and, most importantly, they can be harmful to the environment. Much of environmental conservation and ethical practice involves correcting ingrained perceptions and innovating so

that the same quality product can be provided while reducing environmental impact. This is very much the case with enamel paint. There has been a global shift toward water-based products which offer equal, if not better, quality. The water-based alternatives carry added benefits, including faster drying times, lower associated costs and minimal impact to the environment and the health and well-being of consumers.

Plascon Velvaglo Water-Based Enamel is just one product within an extensive range of water-based solutions offered by Plascon. Leading the field in water-based alternatives, Plascon Velvaglo Water-Based Enamel is prized for its superior strength, satin finish, and versatility. According to Plascon, the paint has been formulated with a unique water-based acrylic hybrid called AquatoughTM, to provide all the toughness of a solventbased enamel including UV-, flaking- and stain-resistance. It also boasts non-drip properties while remaining environmentally friendly and non-toxic. Of particular concern with solvent-based products is the associated risk of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emission, which has become a major societal concern with VOC pollution on the rise. VOCs are chemicals emitted from production processes and common household items. These chemicals accumulate in the air and can have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to 10 times higher) than outdoors. Additionally, Plascon states that to combat this threat, it has optimised the formulations of its premium brands, which now all boast zero VOC recipes. This means that there are no VOC emissions when using these products thereby protecting the environment as well as the owner’s home and family.

volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

GREEN BUILDING

Team play brings rewards Ingo Hamann, the recently appointed Managing Director of STIEBEL ELTRON Southern Africa (www.stiebel-eltron.co.za) is a man with a vision. He believes that the key to a successful business lies in treating his team, business partners, merchants, clients and various participants in the value chain as family and listening to their needs and advice. Rozier van Tonder

Our system allows for comfortable heating or cooling all year round, and all the hot water requirements for a home.

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GREEN BUILDING

Whilst STIEBEL ELTRON has been a known entity in South Africa for some time, the MD’s seat has been vacant right through the various Covid lockdowns. Recently appointed to head the company’s operations here, Hamann sees this as an opportunity to relaunch in South Africa with a new vision; to participate actively in the green building movement with the company’s building services based on renewables, namely domestic hot water, heating and cooling. “We have had a presence in South Africa for more than 25 years, but since the local company’s recapitalisation as a full branch of our German parent company, we are saying that STIEBEL ELTRON is here to stay,” he explains. Indeed, during his first six weeks in SA, he has toured the length and breadth of the business landscape and is busy opening a showroom in the town of George, to strengthen the connectivity for partners and clients along the Garden Route. STIEBEL ELTRON is already known in South Africa for its instant water heating solutions for applications in the kitchen and bathroom, including hand basins and showers. However, its renewable range, referred to as its “systems technology”, offers a unique opportunity for the residential market, public facilities, hotels and other applications to get off the grid for warm water heating and even for heating and cooling. Notably, the electromechanical aspects of heat pumps can be powered using renewable energy sources such as PV power (photovoltaic). These include heat pumps and ventilation systems. Hamann describes the STIEBEL ELTRON heat pump range as a reliable solution to meet every requirement. “Much more than just a swimming pool heater, our system allows for comfortable heating or cooling all year round, and all the hot water requirements for a home.”

pump technology, in fact it is a mandatory requirement for new buildings or refits in some of the countries as well. My own home has been fitted with a heat pump and PV system for over 10 years,” he adds.

Listening skills and training Hamann also firmly believes that there is value in listening to the advice of ‘older people’ who have diverse experiences that can be learned from. In this context he mentions his grandfather. At the age of 16, he finished formal school in Germany to get his first job as an energy electronics technician for an energy service provider (E.ON). In the following years further training followed, as a gas and water supply technician and heat pump technician. Working his way up through various trades, Hamann became a Master Electrician in Germany, joined STIEBEL ELTRON and has worked in various postings around the world. While working at STIEBEL ELTRON, he finished his part-time studies (Bachelor of Science Industrial Engineer) in 2018, and then moved to the STIEBEL ELTRON branch in China, where he took on the position of Technical Director, before transferring to South Africa as Managing Director.

The company’s local relaunch includes a strong focus on both sustainability and what Hamann calls ‘comfortable living’.

He brings to STIEBEL ELTRON South Africa a strong belief in and a mission to provide training and education about heat pumps. Both across the company’s ‘family’ and also to South Africans at large, notably via the green building movement.

“Much of Europe, especially Germany where I come from, is fitted with heat

“Premium service and premium products which consume little energy and bring

more safety and comfort to the user are a must have,” Hamann says. TO BUILD’s editor met Hamann at the Green Building Convention in Cape Town, where he and his colleagues hosted an exhibition stand while also presenting to the Convention audience. He is keen to form partnerships with housing developers, where he believes that heat pump systems installed into new builds can deliver considerable value to the home, while justifying capital employed over a reasonable payback period. To boost the presence of heat pumps and other energy saving devices in SA, Hamann also believes that government at various levels need to come to the party by providing tax incentives, rebates and various local financial incentives at municipal level to encourage the migration to green energy, thus contributing to SA’s carbon emission reduction programmes. For example, the Renewable Independent Power Producer Programme (https:// www.ipp-renewables.co.za/) is aimed at bringing additional megawatts onto the country’s electricity system through private sector investment in wind, biomass and small hydro, among others. STIEBEL ELTRON’s home comfort products are available from specialised plumbing chains. The company can be contacted directly for details on its range of heat pumps and other renewable energy systems. Email your queries to contact@stiebel-eltron.co.za volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

Harnessed from the air Used for your living comfort www.stiebel-eltron.co.za

Sustainable solutions for your home – Heat pump technology Create your comfortable home with efficient building technology based on renewable energies - for example with heat pump technology for heating and cooling. Intelligent building services can improve your living comfort and offer you security of investment. Hot Water | Heating | Cooling | Ventilation

ADVERTORIAL: STIEBEL ELTRON

A STIEBEL ELTRON

instantaneous water heater does more than heat water You ask, it delivers exactly when needed, in precisely the right amount and always at the selected temperature. That’s why we talk about DHW convenience. And why we call our premium appliances comfort instantaneous water heaters. What are the advantages of STIEBEL ELTRON's decentralised instantaneous water heaters over centralised DHW systems? Solutions for efficient DHW heating are differentiated into centralised and decentralised concepts. Centralised DHW solutions are mostly DHW cylinders that are heated by the central heating system, or a geyser. In this case, reasonable efficiency levels dissipate through long supply lines. The actual energy efficiency of the system usually only comes to light in the end-of-year bill. This is because many cost factors, such as DHW circulation in ring mains, cylinder losses, standby energy losses and distribution losses result in high energy consumption. Such factors are seldom recognised as DHW costs. If these hidden costs are also taken into account, then STIEBEL ELTRON's decentralised electric DHW heating systems are often more economical than centralised systems. This has been verified by various different studies and has been proven by thousands of installation around the world. STIEBEL ELTRON electric instantaneous water heaters are energy efficient and environmentally responsible and offer many benefits, if planned in the right way.

1. Close to the point of use installation DHW heating appliances are fitted precisely where they are required: at the kitchen sink, at the washbasin, in the bathroom.

2. Energy saving Short pipe runs, due to installation directly on site, ensures that heat loss is reduced to a minimum. This saves energy and protects the environment.

3. Water saving Short pipe runs also means that there is no cooled water in the supply line, which needs to run off unused when hot water is drawn. If it is drawn directly at the source, no precious water is lost.

4. Easy to fit Our DHW appliances for decentralised DHW provision are quick and easy to install – even when replacing older appliances. This limits expenditure and saves time.

5. Accurate billing In apartment buildings, the possibility of accurate individual billing is truly appreciated. Everyone pays for what they use – not a penny more.

Discover the STIEBEL ELTRON instantaneous water heater range – a guarantee of exactly the right hot water temperature and the best comfort for you. Thanks to its compact design, the instant water heaters are suitable for the kitchen sink, washbasin, the shower and the bathtub. In commercial settings, it can be used in utility rooms or, for example, supplying multiple hand washbasins in sanitary facilities.

010 001 8547 www.stiebel-eltron.co.za volume 11 | issue 4 www.tobuild.co.za

GREEN BUILDING

Clay bricks and sustainable design represented at Convention A noteworthy delegate and exhibitor at the Green Building of South Africa Convention 2021 was Mariana Lamont, the Executive Director of the Clay Brick Association of South Africa (CBA). The Association represents the clay brick and paver manufacturers of Southern Africa. Gareth Griffiths

Gareth Griffiths

The networking and engagement at the summit were inspiring with positive feedback from delegates...

According to Lamont, "The Clay Brick Association plays an important role to ensure that our commitment to a sustainable future is not negotiable and achieving our sector targets becomes a reality. Our LCA and yearly sustainability report shows the progress we make year on year to reduce production emissions, water, waste and other materials. “We find that clay brick outperforms a range of alternative materials on thermal

performance and comfort of the building. Hence, over the entire life span of the building it reduces the carbon emissions footprint of the buildings. “In short, clay bricks are able to go the distance with no maintenance which avoids recurring embodied energy.” Meanwhile, Nico Mienie, Managing Director of Algoa Brick, represented the CBA on the Green Innovation stage at the convention. His presentation dealt with the thermal performance of clay bricks, presenting the latest research findings on energy-efficiency. Lamont found the convention to be both interesting and inspiring, where the CBA hosted an exhibition stand at the expo. “The networking and engagement at the summit were inspiring with positive feedback from delegates about the important role of bricks in our build environment to reduce embodied energy over the lifespan of the building,” she said.

Songo Didiza (left) and Mariana Lamont.

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The neighbouring expo stand at the convention was hosted by the Green Building Design Group, where its founder, Songo Didiza, needed little introduction to delegates, given the high profile she has in the sustainability and renewable resources sector.

Conradie Park, Cape Town.Photo courtesy of Concor.

FOR GOOD Q FOREVER Ceramic clay masonry is a natural insulator against summer heat, winter cold, humidity and noise. With timeless appeal, impressive strength and maximum ﬁre resistance, clay brick looks beautiful for a lifetime. CBASA represents clay brick & paver manufacturers across Southern Africa. We drive inclusive, sustainable practices in the industry while supporting our local producers, builders and architects. Download free technical & construction guides at www.claybrick.org THE

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Technopol SA is a local company with more than 25 years of experience in the energy-efficiency and insulation industry and has recently introduced its new LiteCore & LiteSpan Building Systems. This energysaving and functional insulated brick and roof panel system not only speaks to the company’s core values of efficiency and excellence but is also a showcase of its expanded polystyrene system (EPS) format, which plays a significant role in energy saving over the long term.

LiteCore The LiteCore System is a strong, durable and quick-toinstall energy-saving system. It provides your development with the best thermal comfort for your space, saving you time and money. This system is wellengineered and has a strong, lightweight core made from recycled EPS and eco-friendly concrete. This system can easily be adopted for use in more conventional building construction. It requires little skills set adjustments in terms of installation and easily delivering an energy-efficient, well insulated building. 75 100 125 150

www.technopol.co.za

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LiteSpan

Lightweight building block

Benefits The highest safety and excellent fire resistant properties A non-toxic and environmentally responsible solution for green buildings. Agrément Certificate that covers multiple levels in various occupancy classes. Is unaffected by weather conditions. An R-value that is fully SANS 10400 XA compliant. Durable, quick and easy to install.

Insulated roof panel

The LiteSpan System is a composite panel comprising of a top and bottom pre-painted galvanized steel sheets, with a sandwiched Polystyrene or Rockwool core. The Polystyrene insulation core is from an approved SANS 1017711 Fire Retarded Expanded Polystyrene Grade. The panel offers a durable, highly insulated, extremely air-tight, and aesthetically pleasing roof or wall solution. The panel offers benefits at all levels of building design and construction for architects, designers, builders, and end-user.

Benefits High strength to weight ratio. Thermal efficient. Ease of installation. Shorter construction time. Eliminates roof trusses to increase living space. Estimating costs are simple and accurate.

GREEN BUILDING

Why use energy efficiency

service providers

Barry Bredenkamp, General Manager, Energy Efficiency & Corporate Communications at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) writes about the possible procurement of energy efficiency via a service provider, rather than financing the procurement of state-of-the-art energy efficiency technologies on the company’s balance sheet, which are constantly evolving and improving. Gareth Griffiths

Barry Bredenkamp

Many businesses and individuals are aware of the importance of reducing their energy consumption; doing so offers benefits for the environment and a decrease in one’s utility bill. However, one of the biggest barriers to wider adoption of energy efficient technology is the capital outlay required to purchase, install and maintain these systems. In today’s uncertain times, it is understandable that many people are wary of investing their hard-earned capital into technology that may have an extended payback period. Also, where the technology may evolve far quicker than the actual investment period and constantly require new skills in the workforce to maintain and operate these

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new technologies. They may also not consider energy efficiency as an immediate priority, but considering South Africa’s contribution to the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, becoming more energy efficient is becoming very urgent. Our reliance on coal means that our country is contributing to climate change at a rate disproportionate to the size of our economy.

Trend: Procuring of energy efficiency services based on Energy Performance Contracts There is a trend in many countries to move to the procuring of energy efficiency services based on Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs), as opposed to purchasing and maintaining the technologies in-

The ESCo purchases the equipment, installs, and operates it as a service to the client.

GREEN BUILDING

house. This solution is stimulating growing interest in South Africa and presents an opportunity for facilities to ‘go green’ without big upfront investments of scarce capital. Basically, an Energy Services Company (ESCo) sources the financial backing to fund their client’s energy efficiency project. The ESCo purchases the equipment, installs, and operates it as a service to the client. The client benefits from the energy and environmental savings, and there is an agreement to amortise the costs of the technology and share the savings accrued, based on the performance of the technologies installed and operated on behalf of the client. The client does not have to invest in the technology upgrades, yet still receives the financial, environmental and energy savings resulting from such a project. Additionally, it leaves companies with the freedom to focus on their core business, entrusting their energy efficiency

initiatives to professionals in the industry. After an agreed number of years, the client then takes full ownership of the assets and continues to reap 100% of the savings, if they so desire. Energy-efficient products are constantly evolving, and an ordinary consumer (of energy) is unlikely to keep up with the pace of change. In this service-based business model, the ESCo is incentivised to use the most efficient products available, even if it means retrofitting an existing installation within the contract period to maximise the savings potential. This business model has great potential in South Africa. While increasing electricity tariffs mean that investing in energy-efficient technology would see a shorter ROI, it may still be too much to expect businesses to prioritise this spend in today’s economic climate.

About SANEDI SANEDI (www.sanedi.org.za), established by the government, directs, monitors and conducts applied energy research to develop innovative, integrated solutions to catalyse growth and prosperity in the green economy. It drives scientific evidence-driven ventures that contribute to youth empowerment, gender equity, environmental sustainability and the 4th Industrial Revolution, within the National Development Plan (NDP), through consultative, sustainable energy projects.

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Short Courses in Built Environment and Construction Shift your career in the right direction and get equipped with the latest knowledge and practical skills to navigate the impact and challenges faced within the Built Environment and Construction Industry.

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ADVERTORIAL: NISSAN ADVERTORIAL

When it is time to build There’s nothing better than having the right tool for the job. With 17 variants of the impressive Nissan Navara, there’s always one that’s perfect for your business. The Navara Single Cab is the hardest working one of all. Since the legendary NP300 Hardbody came to the end of its production run the business community has been eagerly anticipating the release of its spiritual successor, the Navara Single Cab. With various spec options available, the Navara Single Cab will appeal to both heavy and light industry needs. When the Navara was introduced to the market in 1997 the Nissan brand staked a serious claim to being the bakkie of choice across all industries from mining to civil engineering to agriculture and

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ADVERTORIAL: NISSAN ADVERTORIAL

more. The Navara Single Cab is the end result of 80 years of development and refinement in the category. With a reputation for toughness and reliability Nissan one tonners are highly sought after across the continent which is why Nissan SA has committed a 3 billion ZAR investment into local production at the Roslyn facility. As it is the Nissan way when we start manufacturing it’s not just cars that get built

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proud of are the relationships we have built. From plumber, farmers, engineers and builders to ordinary people who need one car to do it all the Nissan Navara Single Cab is the right bakkie for the job.

of 8 BEE start-up companies under the Nissan Incubator Program, launched in 2017. We’re also making significant strides in building up the local supply chain by increasing the volume of locally sourced components from 38% to 48% by 2022, in line with SA Automotive Master Plan targets.

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75 Years of dedication to Building South Africa! Our economy cannot achieve our goals if we import most of the products we use. A thriving manufacturing industry creates jobs and business opportunities, enables skills development and improves our competitiveness in global markets. This includes the standardisation in the field of manufacturing, conversion and testing of building and construction, including all aspects of their effects on man, the environment relating to activities in the following fields: civil and construction for example steel and concrete works, and the building industry for example bricks, paving blocks, roof tiles, cement & concrete products. SANS 10400 - The application of the National Building Regulations. Development in the building industry is a continuous process. New materials become available, design methods are refined, and innovative building systems are introduced. Political change also results in the development of new policies and approaches to various aspects of building and construction that might impact on regulatory requirements. It is therefore obvious that building regulations and the interpretation thereof cannot remain static if they are to accommodate such policy changes and allow for the early use of innovation in construction. The current setup has introduced full test automation of tests that are performed on the test bench in both SANS 60335-2-21 and SANS 151 test standards.

SABS Training Academy

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The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has been training individuals in organisations on various management systems for decades. Our accredited training modules include an overview of the relevant standards, creating overall organisational awareness and implementation of management systems such as: SANS 10400, SANS/ISO 9001, SANS/ISO 14001, SANS/ISO 45001, FSSC, SANS/ISO 22000, and many more. The Academy is accredited with the Southern African Auditor and Training Certification Authority (SAATCA) for Lead auditor courses in Quality Management Systems, Environmental Management Systems, Occupational Health and Safety and Food Safety. As the national body responsible for the development and maintenance of South African National Standards (SANS), our facilitators are exposed to the latest state of the art information regarding standards. Our specialist trainers are industry experts with more than 30 years of collective training experience and knowledge. SABS a Trusted Partner in Delivering Quality Assurance. SABS, establish support for your Standardisation,Testing, Training and Certification Aspirations.

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When you’re building a business you need the right tools and the Navara Single Cab measures up every time. With an over 1 ton payload, increased load-box size, 3.5 ton towing capacity improved ride comfort and a powerful petrol or diesel engine in both two- and four-wheel drive it gets the job done. Getting to the site is now the best part of the day with Nissan Connect 8” touch-screen, rear view camera and cruise control. The hardworking Navara Single Cab is now built in South Africa to be Africa tough, rugged and reliable.

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